Belgium has reached an initial agreement with French utility group Engie to extend the use of nuclear power by 10 years – with the aim of reaching a final agreement by the end of the year.

Engie’s subsidiary Electrabel and the Belgian state announced they had signed a non-binding letter of intent paving the way for 2 GW of nuclear at the Doel-4 and Tihange-3 nuclear plants to remain operational for 50 years until 2035.

“This accord is a first crucial step and an important sign of trust between both parties,” Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo wrote on Twitter.