Belgium
Belgium is a signatory of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaety (NPT) and has signed and ratified the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). It is one of the 44 listed countries needed to sign and ratify for the CTBT to enter into force.
Belgium has seven operating reactors, the first began commercial operation in 1974, the latest completed in 1985.
In 1988 the Government cancelled the construction of a fifth reactor at the Doel nuclear power plant. This was followed in February 1992 by government confirmation of an indefinite moratorium on the construction of nuclear power plants in the country. In December 1998, Belgium cancelled its post-2000 reprocessing contract with Cogema-La Hague.
In 1999 a new Government was elected, which, for the first time, contained the Green party as part of the ruling coalition.
In January 2003 an Act was passed prohibiting the building of new nuclear power plants and limiting the operating lives of existing ones to 40 years, which will lead to the phase out of nuclear power between 2015-25. This can be overridden by a recommendation from the electricity and gas regulator (CREG) if security of supply is threatened.
In 2006 a draft energy policy study commissioned by the Energy Ministry said that a fundamental review of energy policy was required, in particular that nuclear power should be utilised long-term in order to meet CO2 reduction commitments, enhance energy security and maintain economic stability.
Belgium is a member of the NATO military nuclear alliance, actively participates in all aspects of the work of their Nuclear Planning Group and has US nuclear weapons for use by the Belgian Air Force as part of NATO stored at the Kleine Brogel air base.
Read the profile on Belgium from the Model Nuclear Inventory (pdf), produced by the Reaching Critical Will project of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.
