Belgium faces winter blackouts amid nuclear reactor shutdowns

Emergency plans for homes, roads and industry as country loses 40% of power supply

A forced shutdown of one nuclear reactor in the lead up to winter may be regarded as unfortunate. But the closure of six of the seven reactors responsible for supplying 40% of Belgium's electricity is raising eyebrows, even in a country so prone to chaotic administration.

An emergency "load shedding" plan has been updated, under which motorway lights will be switched off, industrial production suspended and rolling three-hour blackouts launched in homes nationwide should temperatures drop in the coming months and demand outstrip the now limited electricity supply.