Belgium moves to take over French company Engie's 7 nuclear reactors amid energy concerns

The Belgian government said the talks cover all nuclear activities operated by Engie and its subsidiary Electrabel, including the seven reactors at the Doel nuclear power plant and the Tihange nuclear power plant sites, Belga news agency reported.

As negotiations begin, authorities have ordered an immediate halt to all ongoing decommissioning and dismantling works at the plants, a significant step as some reactors had already entered the shutdown phase.

Prime Minister Bart De Wever said the initiative reflects a broader strategy to secure “safe, affordable and sustainable energy,” with “less dependence on fossil fuel imports and more control over our own supply.”

The current agreement takes the form of a letter of intent, with both sides aiming to reach a broader deal by Oct. 1, 2026, following a full due diligence review of Engie’s nuclear operations.

Any final transaction would require regulatory approval, including from the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control, the French news broadcaster BFMTV reported.

The proposed takeover would include not only the reactors, but also staff, subsidiaries, and all associated assets and liabilities, including obligations linked to decommissioning.

The move marks a reversal of Belgium’s previous nuclear phase-out strategy, under which most reactors were set to close, while only two units were extended until 2035.

Authorities are seeking greater control over long-term energy security amid concerns over electricity prices, supply resilience and reliance on imported fossil fuels.

Financial details of the potential acquisition have not been disclosed. However, tensions have reportedly emerged between Engie and the government over the cost of dismantling the nuclear fleet, estimated to exceed €8.7 billion (about $7.4 billion).