Belgium - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Following the shutdown of Tihange 1 and Doel 2 in October 2025 and November 2025, respectively, Belgium has two remaining operable reactors, Doel 4 and Tihange 3.
Table Be.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactor gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity | Cumulative carbon dioxide emissions avoided 1970-2025 (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2056 | 2179 | 0 | - | 1675 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
In February 2025 the new coalition government announced plans to continue operating Doel 4 and Tihange 3 for an additional 10 years to 2045, with the prime minister stating that it was to “strengthen our country’s independence from fossil fuels in a turbulent geopolitical environment.”
In May 2025, Belgium’s federal parliament voted by a large majority to repeal the 2003 law, which set out a phase-out of nuclear power and ban on the construction of new nuclear generating capacity. The Federal Coalition Accord, published in January 2025, aims for 4 GWe in total of nuclear capacity in the electricity mix and commits to launch a programme to revive Belgium’s nuclear industry and construct new nuclear reactors.
Table Be.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2190 | - | - | - | - | 4000 | 1810 | 4000 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Belgium has well-established nuclear institutions and more recently a more positive policy on nuclear energy. The repeal of the phase-out law and approval of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 life extensions are major readiness improvements. Greater clarity is now needed on intentions for potential restarts of reactors and new construction, following the government’s discussions with Engie to acquire its nuclear-related assets.
| Country Category | Restarter |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | Moderate The Doel 4/Tihange 3 operating lifetime extension has a clear framework; a roadmap to achieve the planned 4 GWe of nuclear capacity needs to be finalized. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | High Belgium has an experienced regulator, a mature nuclear legal framework, strong technical support organizations, operating and decommissioning experience, and an established waste management system. |
| Programme & Project Development | Low-Moderate Belgium is moving ahead on extending the operating lifetimes of Doel 4 and Tihange 3, but plans for new build are at an early stage. The political and legal environment for nuclear energy has changed quickly, but project development milestones have not yet followed. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate This target has been revised from 8 GWe in the previous WNOR (4 GWe of new capacity in addition to the 4 GWe that was in operation at the beginning of 2025) to the 4 GWe overall target stated in the Federal Coalition Accord of January 2025. |
