Belgium and France sign an agreement to strenghten nuclear power and energy security
Belgium’s Federal Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet and France’s Industry and Energy Minister Marc Ferracci signed on 22 July 2025 a Declaration of Intent in Paris, marking a new phase of cooperation in nuclear energy.
The recent nuclear agreement between France and Belgium outlines several focused areas of cooperation:
- Life extension of existing reactors
- Development of new projects, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
- Areas of research and innovation
- Establishment of strategic supply chains
- Education and workforce training
Each area will be advanced through dedicated projects and working groups to ensure practical implementation.
The partnership between France and Belgium will focus on extending reactor lifespans, advancing SMR deployment or enhancing research and innovation
Belgium's Minister Mathieu Bihet described the pact as advancing from policy changes—especially Belgium’s repeal of its 2003 nuclear phase‑out law and the restart of Tihange‑3—to real, tangible cooperation.
In May 2025, the majority of the Belgian parliament voted to scrap this law, which had banned new nuclear builds and set closure deadlines; this move effectively revived Belgium’s nuclear ambitions.
Belgium also secured a 10-year operational extension for its two newest reactors, Doel 4 and Tihange 3, allowing them to remain online and reinforcing the revival of domestic nuclear capability.
Bihet framed the declaration as a strategic affirmation of shared priorities: ensuring energy security, reinforcing sovereignty, advancing decarbonisation, and driving technological innovation.
The agreement positions nuclear energy as a central pillar to boost Europe’s energy sovereignty, clean transition, and industrial resilience
French Energy Minister Marc Ferracci added that the pact underscores both countries’ commitment to developing nuclear industries and launching ambitious energy programmes. He highlighted the importance of the European Nuclear Alliance, of which Belgium recently became an observer alongside France, in promoting a European energy strategy rooted in technological neutrality, sovereignty, and decarbonization.
