Belgium’s energy-intensive industries are calling for an urgent study into extending the operation of several recently closed or idled nuclear reactors.
They argue that prolonged reliance on gas and imports is driving up electricity costs and threatening the country’s industrial base.
Across the European Union, electricity prices for energy-intensive industries in 2025 remained about double those in the US and about 50 per cent higher than in China. This gap continues to pressure investment decisions and competitiveness.
The federation Febeliec, which represents major industrial electricity consumers in Belgium, has asked the government to halt ongoing dismantling work at certain plants and commission an independent assessment of whether they can safely resume operation.
Director Andreas Tirez said the move could lower wholesale prices by 10 euros to 20 euros per megawatt-hour, benefiting both heavy industry and households.
Belgium’s nuclear fleet, long central to the country’s low-carbon electricity mix, has seen progressive closures under the 2003 phase-out law.
This law was pushed by the Green party and supported by almost everyone else. It was later partially reversed after the effects of the policy became noticeable.
Doel 1, Doel 2 and Tihange 1 were among the older units shut down in 2025 after about 50 years of service.
Doel 3 closed in 2022 and Tihange 2 in 2023. These had faced prolonged outages due to the discovery of tiny “hydrogen flakes” within the steel walls of the reactor pressure vessels.
These were manufacturing defects caused by hydrogen bubbles trapped in the steel during the forging process in the 1970s.
Despite intense reporting in the media, they did not significantly compromise the structural integrity or safety of the vessels, yet they were the first to close.
Doel 4 and Tihange 3, the two youngest and most powerful units, received a 10-year life extension and are now operating until 2035 under a government-ENGIE agreement. They underwent major long-term operation (LTO) maintenance and restarted successfully in 2025.
ENGIE is a major player in the energy transition, whose purpose is to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral economy.
Febeliec argues that the dismantling of some closed reactors is already under way but should be paused immediately for a fresh safety and technical review.
The group suggests the government could compel ENGIE (via its Belgian subsidiary Electrabel) to co-operate, or involve other partners through sale or joint ventures, stating that security of supply is “too important to leave to one private party”.
Belgian manufacturers face some of the highest electricity prices in Europe.
Industry leaders warn that expensive gas-fired back-up power and increased imports expose the economy to volatile international markets and geopolitical risks.
Nuclear power, they note, provides reliable, CO₂-free baseload electricity that supports the energy transition while keeping costs in check. Nuclear waste management costs will arise regardless of whether plants are extended or not.
ENGIE has described the idea of restarting the more advanced closed units as “unthinkable”.
A spokesperson called it enormously expensive, likely to take years and uncertain from both a technical and safety perspective.
The company is already managing a complex and costly long-term operation (LTO) programme for Doel 4 and Tihange 3, including extensive upgrades, component replacements and regulatory scrutiny.
It has repeatedly signalled limited enthusiasm for further nuclear commitments, preferring renewables and is seeking clarity on decommissioning liabilities and risk-sharing with the state.
The current centre-right coalition, without the Greens, repealed the 2003 nuclear phase-out law in 2025 and has actively pursued extensions and new nuclear capacity, including small modular reactors.
The federal government co-owns Doel 4 and Tihange 3 in a 50/50 joint venture with ENGIE.
Earlier talks explored extending Tihange 1 and other units but progress has been cautious.
Belgium’s household electricity price is about 24 per cent above the EU average. Only Germany is more expensive.
Belgian industrial users paid up to 23 per cent more for electricity in 2025 than comparable companies in neighbouring countries such as France, Netherlands and Germany.
