Belgium's new government has decided to pivot back to nuclear energy, emphasizing its importance in a recent coalition agreement. The goal is to generate 4 gigawatts of nuclear power.

This move represents a significant shift from the policies of previous governments. Belgium began its phase-out of nuclear energy in 1999 with a preliminary agreement, formalized in 2003 by a law that prohibited new reactors and mandated the decommissioning of existing ones. Over the years, critics of this policy have cited the absence of viable alternatives.

The newly announced plan in Brussels targets a 4-gigawatt share of nuclear energy in Belgium's electricity mix. The government is committed to expanding existing nuclear capacities and investing in new facilities both in the short and long term.

Under the leadership of Bart De Wever, the Belgian government aims to develop the country’s first small modular reactor. However, the agreement does not specify a timeline for achieving the 4-gigawatt target, acknowledging the frequent delays and cost overruns associated with nuclear power plant construction