Move follows change of policy in Brussels on reactor deployment
The Belgian Nuclear Forum and Canada-based power company Ontario Power Generation (OPG) have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on new nuclear energy projects in Belgium including analysis of the potential of small modular reactors (SMRs).
The signing took place during the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) in Paris in the presence of Belgium’s energy minister Mathieu Bihet and Ontario’s energy minister Stephen Lecce.
The collaboration follows the recent repeal of Belgium’s 2003 nuclear phaseout law and the adoption of the so-called “Bihet Law”, which reopens the door for investments in nuclear technology.
According to the forum, the agreement marks an important milestone in the renaissance of nuclear energy in Belgium.
The forum and OPG aim to analyse how new reactors could be realised in Belgium by 2035.
Bihet said: “By partnering with a global leader, our nuclear industry is strengthening its credibility and its ability to develop next-generation technologies. The development of small modular reactors marks a decisive step in the nuclear renaissance.”
Under the 2003 phaseout law, all seven nuclear reactor units in the country at the time had to be permanently shut down by 2025.
The law was abolished in April 2025 by the current centre-right coalition government.
Belgium is now down to three commercially operational reactors: Tihange-3, Doel-4, and Doel-2.
In May the Ontario government and OPG approved a plan to build the first of four SMRs at OPG’s Darlington site.
Construction of the BWRX-300 plant will begin soon with completion of the first unit scheduled by the end of the decade.
