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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Belgium 2016 Review
In recent years, Belgium has made clear progress in increasing competition in the electricity and natural gas markets. It has also managed to reduce the use of fossil fuels and increase the use of renewable energy. The country's economy is becoming less energy-intensive. Belgium has excellent gas transport infrastructure, and its gas market is well-integrated with those of its neighbours. The country’s emergency oil stock levels are also high. As in all IEA member countries, a major challenge for Belgium is to decarbonise the economy while ensuring security of supply and affordability of energy. A long…
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Renewables 2020
…renewable markets, especially electricity-generating technologies, have already shown their resilience to the crisis. Renewables 2020 provides detailed analysis and forecasts through 2025 of the impact of Covid-19 on renewables in the electricity heat and transport sectors. Executive summary Renewables’ resilience is driven by the electricity sector In sharp contrast to all other fuels, renewables used for generating electricity will grow by almost 7% in 2020. Global energy demand is set to decline 5% – but long-term contracts, priority access to the grid and continuous installation of new plants are all underpinning strong growth in renewable electricity. This more…
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Belgium 2022
Energy Policy Review The International Energy Agency (IEA) regularly conducts in-depth peer reviews of the energy policies of its member countries. This process supports energy policy development and encourages the exchange of international best practices and experiences to help drive secure, affordable and clean energy transitions.Belgium’s energy and climate policies push for energy transition through expanding renewable electricity generation and electrifying energy demand, especially for transport. Policies focus on maintaining affordable access to energy with the double aim of protecting vulnerable consumers and ensuring industrial competitiveness. Belgium has made notable progress on deploying offshore wind and increasing…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Belgium 2005 Review
…The country has acted to improve the independent functioning of the electricity market and harmonise it with that of its neighbouring countries. Furthermore, an electricity exchange will begin operation shortly. However, to enable Belgian customers to fully benefit from energy market liberalisation, more work needs to be done. In 2003, Belgium decided to phase out nuclear power between 2015 and 2025. As nuclear energy supplies about 55% of the country’s electricity, this will be a significant challenge. This huge supply gap will need to be covered by a combination of energy savings, electricity imports or additional electricity generating capacity…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Belgium 2009 Review
…Measures have been implemented to promote energy efficiency. Public funding for energy R&D has risen substantially. Energy security measures have been reinforced for different fuels, and an integrated emergency response policy is under development. Market reforms are advancing in both the electricity and gas sectors. Belgian energy policies are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring energy security not only in the country but also in north-west Europe. The country’s strategic location makes it an important transit hub for natural gas, oil and electricity. Nevertheless, challenges remain. A comprehensive, national strategy is needed to stimulate investment and…
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Belgium Electricity Security Policy
…the world to make extensive use of dynamic line rating (DLR), which uses distributed sensors to provide real-time monitoring of high-voltage electricity lines. DLR allows the transmission system operator (TSO) to better determine actual line capacity and improve overall system performance. In 2020, the TSO was using DLR on 28 high-voltage lines and estimated it had increased import and export capacity by around 10%, resolved congestions issues, reduced redispatching costs and aided the development of renewable generation.Network: transmission and distribution The private company Elia is Belgium’s electricity TSO. It is owned by the Elia Group…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Belgium 2001
…on the country’s energy policy. Belgium has actively increased its gas transmission capacity, and has become key player in the overall European gas markets. There is still room for improvement, however, in the electricity transmission capacity.
Belgium has started to liberalise its electricity and gas market. But the traditional utilities Electrabel and Distrigas retain much influence. Further efforts are required to make a competitive market. Belgium has made the political decision to phase out nuclear power, closing down the existing units when they reach forty years of age and building no new units. The report recommends Belgium to look… -
Belgium Climate Resilience Policy Indicator
Country summaryBelgium’s average temperature rose approximately 2°C between 1830 and 2010, with extreme heat events becoming more frequent and intense. Climate projections indicate a continued increase in temperature that is likely to affect electricity consumption patterns and power grid management. Precipitation has increased in Belgium particularly during winter. The frequency of extreme precipitation events increased significantly over the past decades. Projections to 2100 indicate that precipitation is expected to continue increasing in winter while decreasing in summer. Extreme precipitation events are projected to become more frequent, with heavy winter rainfalls and summer thunderstorms escalating the risk of flooding.Belgium…
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Belgium Natural Gas Security Policy
…Natural gas net imports are mainly from the Netherlands and Norway. L-gas (low-calorific gas) produced in the Netherlands accounted for roughly one-fifth of Belgium’s gas supply.Belgian gas demand has fluctuated around 18 bcm over the past decade, led by industry, which accounted for approximately 40% of total gas demand, followed by electricity and heat generation, residential buildings, and service sector buildings. Gas demand in power generation is expected to increase in the coming years, as the majority of the nuclear plants will close.Belgium maintains a high degree of natural gas supply security through a…
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Belgium's legislation on oil security
Introduction There are two acts of law which primarily govern the Belgian response to oil supply shortages in emergency situations: first, the more general 1976 Law Approving the Agreement (LAA) on an International Energy Programme (IEP) and second, the more specific 2006 Compulsory Stockholding Act (CSA). The LAA takes the form of a framework act provides for a very general legal framework aimed at the protection of Belgium’s oil supply.The CSA implements the European Union (EU)’s Directive 2009/119/EC and lays out a specific legal framework concerning the protection of Belgium’s energy supply by stockholding…