The Belgian government is in talks to buy the nuclear utility assets of French power group Engie in Belgium in a move that could lead to the restart of reactors that had been shut down.

Pending the talks, all ongoing decommissioning and dismantling works at the country’s shut-down nuclear plants will be halted immediately, a joint statement said.

The proposed deal would cover all nuclear activities currently owned and operated by Engie and its Electrabel unit, including the Belgium’s seven commercial nuclear power plants, only two of which remain online.

According to the joint statement, the move reflects the government’s ambition to extend the lifespan of existing reactors and potentially develop new nuclear capacity in Belgium. The statement said the move would help secure the country’s energy supplies.