Belgian Nuclear Forum welcomes the launch of exclusive negotiations on the acquisition of nuclear activities by the Belgian State
Press release
Brussels, 30/04/2026
The Belgian Nuclear Forum (BNF), the federation of the nuclear sector in Belgium, welcomes with great satisfaction the announcement that the Belgian State and ENGIE Group have started exclusive negotiations regarding the acquisition of all nuclear activities of ENGIE and its subsidiary Electrabel.
The letter of intent, announced today, provides for a possible transfer of all nuclear activities currently owned and operated by ENGIE and Electrabel and their affiliates, including the complete nuclear fleet of seven reactors, the associated personnel, all nuclear subsidiaries, as well as all associated assets and liabilities, including decommissioning and dismantling obligations.
BNF congratulates the federal government – and in particular Prime Minister Bart De Wever, as well as Federal Minister of Energy Mathieu Bihet – on this courageous and strategic decision. “This step demonstrates political determination and vision within the government. It reinforces a new and positive perspective on Belgium’s security of energy supply”, said Serge Dauby, CEO of the Belgian Nuclear Forum.
“This step demonstrates political determination and vision within the government. It reinforces a new and positive perspective on Belgium’s security of energy supply.”
The decision is in line with the government’s ambition to extend the operation of existing nuclear power plants and to develop new nuclear capacity. This is essential to guarantee, in the long term, the security of supply, the competitiveness, the sovereignty and the sustainability of Belgium’s energy mix.
The sector also highlights the importance of this development in the current geopolitical context. It is time to take greater control of our energy supply again. This decision provides prospects for our industry, which can once again look to the future in Belgium with greater confidence. It is also good news for the Belgian population, which, according to various opinion polls, is largely in favour of nuclear energy. In recent months and years, we have been confronted with high energy prices as a result of a complex geopolitical context. Both industry and the population attach importance to security of energy supply at a competitive price. In this regard, the takeover of nuclear activities by the Belgian State will play a positive role.
This decision strengthens the strategic autonomy and energy sovereignty of our country, while also creating the conditions to look ahead with greater confidence to the development of new nuclear capacity in the medium term (by 2035–2040).
BNF also points out that the suspension of shutdown and decommissioning activities referred to in the announcement comes not a moment too soon. This provides the necessary flexibility to keep all options open for a restart of Belgian reactors.
Finally, BNF expresses its confidence in the further course of the process. “We wish the government every success in these negotiations and are convinced that this process can lead to a balanced agreement that is positive for all parties involved and for the future of our energy system”, concluded Serge Dauby, CEO of the Belgian Nuclear Forum.
