The Belgian government and French utility Engie agreed on April 30 to a framework paving the way for possible state acquisition of Belgium's nuclear assets, including the seven reactors operated by Engie subsidiary Electrabel, Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced on X, arguing for a full takeover of the country's nuclear fleet to strengthen energy security. The government also suspended all decommissioning and dismantling work on reactors shut between 2022 and 2025, keeping options open for potential life extensions or restarts.

Belgium's nuclear policy has shifted repeatedly since the 2003 federal phase-out law mandating the gradual closure of all seven reactors. After the closure of five reactors, the 2022 energy crisis linked to the Ukraine war and gas supply disruptions led Belgium and Engie to begin negotiating extended operations for the remaining two reactors to 2035. In 2025, parliament repealed the 2003 phase-out law amid rising electricity demand, decarbonization targets and broader European efforts to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels while expanding low-carbon baseload generation capacity.