Brussels Targets Control Of Nuclear Power
The Belgian government plans to buy the Belgian nuclear utility assets of French power group Engie, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s energy security. The proposed transaction would cover all nuclear activities currently owned and operated by Engie and its Electrabel unit, including Belgium’s seven nuclear reactors.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever said the deal would also involve suspending plans to decommission nuclear operations in Belgium. The government is seeking to preserve a secure, affordable and long lasting source of energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and gaining more control over domestic supply.
A Shift Away From Nuclear Closure
The plan marks a major reversal in Belgium’s nuclear policy. The country had previously moved toward a phase out, but parliament scrapped that plan last year. Now the government is exploring a full takeover of the country’s seven reactors.
In the meantime, dismantling plans for the five reactors shut down between 2022 and 2025 will be suspended. That keeps open the possibility of extending their licenses or potentially restarting them, depending on technical, financial and regulatory decisions.
Energy Security Returns To The Center
The move comes as Europe faces higher energy prices linked to the war in Iran and renewed concerns about dependence on imported fossil fuels. For Belgium, nuclear power offers a way to stabilize supply while limiting exposure to volatile oil and gas markets.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe must reduce its overdependence on imported fossil fuels and increase domestic, affordable and clean energy supply. Her comments placed nuclear alongside renewables as part of a technology neutral approach to energy security.
Government Intervention Becomes Essential
Belgium’s plan highlights the growing role of the state in Europe’s nuclear industry. Private companies have become more cautious about the costs, risks and long timelines associated with nuclear assets, especially in liberalized electricity markets where future revenues can be uncertain.
Extending the life of older reactors or restarting recently closed units can require billions, or even tens of billions, in investment. Those projects also carry construction, waste management and political risks, making government backing or risk sharing agreements increasingly important.
The 2040 Capacity Target
Belgium wants to secure around 4 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2040. Sylvain Cognet-Dauphin, a senior analyst at S&P Global, said there are two main ways to reach that target: build new nuclear capacity, which takes time, or restart and extend existing units.
According to Cognet-Dauphin, significant lifetime extensions or new nuclear construction are unlikely without major government involvement. That assessment underlines why Belgium is considering a direct takeover rather than relying only on private investment.
A Broader European Nuclear Reversal
Belgium’s decision fits into a wider shift across Europe, where several governments are extending reactor lifetimes or reconsidering closures. At the Nuclear Energy Summit in Paris in March, von der Leyen described Europe’s retreat from nuclear as a strategic mistake because it increased dependence on fossil fuel imports.
France’s EDF is already state owned, while Poland’s nuclear plans are state led. For investors, the Belgian case signals that nuclear power is becoming a strategic public asset again. The sector may attract renewed policy support, but it will remain defined by high capital needs, long project timelines and deep state involvement.
