This week, Federal Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet represented Belgium at two key moments that illustrate his energy policy:
- In Paris, on 3 and 4 November, on the sidelines of the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE), the world's largest trade fair dedicated to nuclear energy, where Belgium reclaimed a leading position on the international stage;
- In Ostend, on 5 November, on the occasion of a joint declaration that strengthens cooperation between North Sea countries on offshore wind energy.
These two trips reflect a strong conviction held by Mathieu Bihet: every decarbonised energy source has its place within a robust and resilient energy mix. The priority is therefore not to choose between wind and atom, but to invest in both and combine them intelligently to guarantee security of supply, economic competitiveness and the achievement of our climate ambitions.
A vision rooted in reality
In Ostend, while the offshore wind sector faces global pressure from rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty, the member countries of the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) reaffirmed, under Belgian co-chairmanship, their shared ambition to develop the North Sea into the heart of European energy supply.
This declaration, championed by Belgium, reaffirms the commitment to building an “energy sea” where innovation, interconnection and storage will help anchor renewables in the continent's energy mix.
Mathieu Bihet explains: “All North Sea countries face the same challenges. That's why we must not only cooperate, but also dare to make choices, faster, smarter and with a pan-European approach in mind. ”
A rebirth for an entire industry
In Paris, Minister Bihet witnessed the international interest sparked by the revival of nuclear power in Belgium. He opened the Belgian Pavilion, a showcase for an industry of excellence driven by our companies and talent. Our country indeed has an industry capable of integrating into the most demanding supply chains and actively contributing to Europe's industrial renaissance, generating concrete interest abroad and opening the way to new innovative partnerships with France, Canada and the United States.
In this context, the Belgian Nuclear Forum (BNF) and the Canadian company Ontario Power Generation (OPG) signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Belgium. The signing took place in the presence of Minister Bihet and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Lecce, highlighting the shared commitment of both countries to safe, sustainable and innovative nuclear technologies.
“After twenty years of uncertainty, it was time to reconnect this knowledge and expertise to seriously prepare for the future of “new nuclear”. The Belgian Pavilion, which I had the pleasure of opening, is striking proof of this: our country is once again becoming a benchmark, ready to play a driving role in Europe's industrial revival ,” the Minister concluded.
Belgian energy policy is based on pragmatism and responsibility: investing in renewables and nuclear power, supporting innovation and efficiency, and strengthening energy sovereignty to support the climate transition. This balanced and ambitious approach will help build a strong, independent and decarbonised Belgium.
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The “Ostend Declaration” strengthens cooperation between North Sea countries for affordable and sustainable European offshore energy | Mathieu Bihet