News item | 13-05-2026 | 15:49
The Netherlands and Belgium have officially stated that they will cooperate more intensively in the field of nuclear energy. The collaboration should contribute to better knowledge exchange and a stronger supply chain. Both countries want to strengthen the nuclear ecosystem. The collaboration also emphasizes the importance of nuclear energy in the energy transition and the energy independence of both countries.
Belgian Minister Bihet of Energy and Dutch State Secretary De Bat of Climate and Green Growth have endorsed the plans in a so-called Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed during the BENENUC26 conference. With this agreement they underline the need to work more intensively together to create an effective, strong and successful sector.
The MoU arranges that the Netherlands and Belgium will work on a broader research base (Research & Development) and intensification of knowledge exchange. To this end, both countries will meet periodically. In this way, the Netherlands can benefit from the available industrial knowledge and applications that Belgium currently has due to the larger number of operational nuclear power plants. Conversely, the Netherlands can share knowledge gained from the construction of new nuclear power stations and developments surrounding small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). For example, in the field of location research, permits, processes and parts for (new) nuclear power plants.
The Netherlands and Belgium also want companies and (knowledge) organizations in the nuclear energy chain and supply to be better able to find and strengthen each other. That is why the two countries are setting up innovation missions between companies and knowledge organizations active in the Netherlands and Belgium. Where possible, governments will encourage cooperation between companies.
In addition, two countries want to commit themselves to strengthening the knowledge and skills of people who will work in the nuclear sector. During the peak of the construction of the nuclear power plants, this concerns 10,000 employees and on average over the entire construction process approximately 5,000 employees. This can be done, for example, through joint training programs.
With the MoU, the Netherlands and Belgium also record that they want to work together on solutions regarding the management, storage and eventual disposal of radioactive waste.
State Secretary De Bat: “The Netherlands is currently at a crucial point, with plans to become more energy independent through more nuclear energy in the energy mix. In a sector that is currently full of developments and benefits from a high knowledge density, cooperation with countries around us is necessary. With Belgium we can give our mutual ambitions the necessary impetus. In this way we strengthen the sector and also contribute to broader European development.”
Belgian Federal Minister of Energy, Mathieu Bihet: “Future European nuclear projects require strong value chains, high-quality expertise and close cooperation between states, research centers and industry. Belgium and the Netherlands have recognized expertise and want to join forces today to contribute to the development of a more robust, innovative and independent European nuclear ecosystem.”
