The Belgian Chamber of Representatives has approved four bills enabling the extension of the Doel 4 (1,033 MW) and Tihange 3 (1,038 MW) nuclear reactors until 2035. They both started commercial operations in 1985. These bills modify the 2003 nuclear phase-out law, originally slated to phase out the Belgian nuclear fleet by 2025; however, an exemption of ten years was granted in 2022 to the two most recent reactors due to the European energy crisis. In addition, these bills establish Bewatt, which will hold the Belgian state's shares in the joint venture with Engie that will legally house the two reactors. They also set up the public agency Hedera, responsible for the financial management of nuclear liabilities and the control of related expenditure.
Practically, the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors are set to restart in November 2025, a year earlier than initially anticipated. Engie will compensate the Belgian state with €15bn for waste storage, while allocating an additional €8bn for dismantling work, totalling €23bn. This agreement alleviates uncertainties for Engie's future, with both reactors to be housed in a company jointly owned by Engie and the Belgian State.
At the end of 2022, nuclear accounted for 21% of Belgium’s installed capacity with 5.9 GW and 46% of its power mix. The country has currently a total of 5 operational reactors (3 in Doel and 2 in Tihange). Doel 1, Doel 2 and Tihange 1 should be decommissioned in 2025.
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