Belgium Won’t Make Blind Nuclear Buyback, Minister Says
Belgian Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet has declared that the government will not make a “blind purchase” of nuclear power plants from French energy giant Engie, insisting that a technical and financial audit will determine whether the state proceeds with the landmark acquisition. Speaking on RTBF’s “Matin Première” on June 11, 2026, Bihet confirmed that a “go/no-go” clause allows the government to walk away if the aging reactors prove too costly or technically unviable.
“We will not buy a cat in a sack, we can reverse course,” Bihet said, using the French idiom to underscore the government’s cautious approach. The statement comes as Belgium pursues one of Europe’s most dramatic energy policy reversals, seeking to renationalize its entire nuclear fleet under the codename “Project Aurora.”
Context: A Historic Policy Reversal
Belgium’s relationship with nuclear energy has undergone a complete transformation. The 2003 phase-out law, which imposed a 40-year maximum lifespan on each reactor, was formally repealed on May 15, 2025, following the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The country narrowly avoided blackouts during the winters of 2022-2023, exposing its vulnerability to gas imports.
The current government, a coalition led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) known as the “Arizona coalition,” has made nuclear energy a central pillar of its energy strategy. On April 30, 2026, the government and Engie signed a letter of intent opening exclusive negotiations for the state to acquire all of Engie’s nuclear activities in Belgium, as reported by La Libre, with a commercial agreement expected by October 1, 2026.
The Scope of Project Aurora
The proposed acquisition covers all seven nuclear reactors — Doel 1-4 and Tihange 1-3 — along with associated personnel, subsidiaries, and all assets and liabilities including decommissioning obligations. However, only two reactors remain operational: Doel 4 (1,026 MWe) and Tihange 3 (1,030 MWe), producing approximately 2 GW combined. Five reactors are shut down, with some in advanced stages of decommissioning.
In 2024, Belgian nuclear production reached 31.3 TWh, covering 41% of the national electricity mix, according to the World Nuclear Association. This dominant share explains why the government views direct control of the fleet as a matter of energy sovereignty.
The Audit and Go/No-Go Clause
Central to Bihet’s message is the government’s insistence on due diligence before committing billions of euros. The government has commissioned a comprehensive technical and financial audit to examine reactor conditions, the potential for life extension, required works, and associated costs.
“At the end of this audit period, there is a ‘go, no go’ clause,” Bihet explained. “If we lift the hood and see we need to change one or two spark plugs, that’s fine. But if we need to change the entire engine, it’s going to be complicated.”
This cautious approach reflects the significant risks involved. Five of seven reactors are already shut down, with Doel 3 and Tihange 2 in advanced decommissioning due to hydrogen micro-bubbles in their reactor vessels. The cost and feasibility of restarting them remain highly uncertain.
Financial Dimensions and Decommissioning
If the state proceeds with the acquisition, it would also take over the approximately €9 billion already provisioned for decommissioning in the Synatom fund. Bihet emphasized that the government would not accept the liabilities without the corresponding assets.
“If we take over the obligations, we will also take the correlative rights. We will not take over assets without having the decommissioning fund. Otherwise, we get cheated,” he said.
Engie CEO Catherine MacGregor has stated that the company is not the best partner for long-term nuclear commitment, telling L’Echo that “new nuclear power plants are not part of Engie’s strategy.” This alignment of interests — the state wanting to expand nuclear capacity and Engie wanting to exit — has made the buyback a mutually agreeable solution.
Broader Implications
Belgium’s decision comes amid a broader European nuclear renaissance. The Netherlands is building two new reactors at Borssele, while Poland, the Czech Republic, and Finland are investing heavily in new capacity. France is developing its EPR2 program, with six reactors planned at an estimated cost of €67.4 billion.
Bihet framed the decision in existential terms, telling RTBF: “Today, energy supply security has become a question of national security. We must mobilize all sources of decarbonized electricity production. It’s not either renewables or nuclear — it’s renewables and nuclear.”
What’s Next
The audit is expected to be completed in the coming months, with the commercial agreement deadline set for October 1, 2026. If the “go/no-go” clause is triggered and the project proceeds, the state would need to determine whether to create a new public entity to operate the reactors or retain Electrabel under state ownership. The minister has also hinted at the potential involvement of private partners in the long-term operation of the fleet.
For now, Belgium stands at a crossroads: proceed with one of the most ambitious nuclear renationalizations in European history, or pull back if the audit reveals that the country’s aging reactors are beyond economic repair.