Belgium plans to nationalise nuclear power plants

Belgium's government has said it is planning to buy its nuclear reactors from French power giant Engie, in order to secure the country's energy supplies.Prime Minister Bart De Wever said the deal would involve "a full takeover" of the nuclear fleet, including Belgium's seven ageing nuclear reactors.The move would also mean suspending plans to decommission nuclear operations in Belgium."This government is choosing safe, affordable and sustainable energy, with less dependence on fossil fuel imports and more control over our own supply," De Wever posted on X.The move would reverse the phase-out of nuclear energy legislation approved in the early 2000s amid safety concerns prohibiting the building of new nuclear power plants and limiting the operating lifetimes of existing ones to 40 years.Only two of Belgium's seven nuclear reactors are operational - located at plants in Doel and in Tihange - and their operating licences were recently extended until 2035.The other five reactors were shut between 2022 and 2025 and plans to dismantle them will now be suspended.Engie and the government said they aim to reach an agreement on the takeover of the nuclear stations by 1 October.