Belgium

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 many IEA member countries, a major challenge for Belgium is to decarbonise the economy while ensuring security of supply and affordability of energy. A long-term approach is required, and, given that responsibility for energy policy is divided between the federal and regional governments, the authorities must work decisively together to form a national energy strategy.

Nuclear energy accounts for around half of Belgium’s electricity generation. The current policy is to close all nuclear power plants between 2022 and 2025, but this could seriously challenge Belgium’s efforts to ensure electricity security and provide affordable low-carbon electricity. As part of efforts to make up for lost generation capacity from nuclear power, the government plans for an expansion of natural gas and renewables generation and enhanced interconnections with neighboring countries. To attract critical investments in the energy sector – especially in electricity generation – the government should follow closely the principles of transparency, predictability and regulatory certainty.

Last updated Dec 4, 2020