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Energy in Belgium

For electricity in Belgium, see Electricity sector in Belgium.

Energy in Belgium describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Belgium.

Doel Nuclear Power Station
Wind turbine

It is governed by the energy policy of Belgium, which is divided between several levels of government. For example, regional governments are responsible for awarding green certificates (except for offshore wind parks) while the national government is responsible for all nuclear power. As a member country of the European Union Belgium also complies with its energy policy.

Belgium is heavily reliant on ageing nuclear reactors and gas powered generators, although renewables (especially wind power) are generating an increasing percentage of electricity consumed.

The energy plan for Brussels is for it to be carbon neutral by 2050, with emissions down by 40% in 2030, 67% in 2040 and 90% in 2050 compared to 2005.[1] Belgium as a whole has a target of a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030.[2]

Energy statistics

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2020 energy statistics[3]
Production capacities for electricity
(billion kWh)
Type Amount
Nuclear 89.98
Fossil fuel 78.08
Wind power 35.38
Biomass 18.16
Solar 13.68
Hydro 0.70
Total 235.98
     
Electricity
(billion kWh)
Category Amount
Consumption 81.17
Production 85.27
Import 13.39
Export 14.05
     
Natural Gas
(billion m3)
Consumption 18.17
Import 22.61
Export 3.94
     
Crude Oil
(barrels per day)
Consumption 234,440,000
Production 4,160,000
Import 243,350,000

CO2 emissions:
85.36 million tons

Primary energy consumption

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Electricity imports/exports

Primary energy is the amount of extractable energy present in fuels as they are found in nature. It is often expressed in tonnes of oil equivalent (toe) or watt-hour (Wh). Unless stated otherwise the lower heating value is used in the remainder of this text. A portion of primary energy is converted into other forms before it is used, depending on the energy conversion efficiency of the installation and method employed. This number differs significantly from the final energy as consumed by end users.

Import

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In 2021, crude oil was imported mainly from the Netherlands.[4]

Natural gas net imports are mainly from the Netherlands and Norway in 2021.[5]

Electricity

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Electricity generation
Main article: Electricity sector in Belgium
See also: List of power stations in Belgium

Electrabel is main producer of electricity, followed by EDF Luminus.

Short term trading is done via the Belpex energy exchange, which is now part of APX-ENDEX. The Belgian transmission grid, operated by Elia System Operator, has a central position in the Synchronous grid of Continental Europe. This allows Belgium to trade electricity with its neighbours. Although currently there are only physical connections with the Netherlands and France, links with Germany (Alegro) and the United Kingdom (Nemo) are planned. Currently a maximum of 3500 MW can be imported.[6] In comparison, the net installed generation capacity in Belgium is estimated to be 19,627 MW.[7]

According to the GEMIX report the potential of renewable energy sources is 17 TWh per year.[8]

Energy types

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Nuclear power

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Main article: Nuclear power in Belgium

Nuclear power typically contributes between 50% and 60% of the electricity produced domestically (50.4% in 2010).

Belgium has two nuclear power plants:

By law[9] the nuclear power plants are to be phased-out. Two reactors (Doel 3 and Tihange 2) were closed in 2012; however the government has extended the life of the remaining five. The lifetime of one old reactor was extended to 2025; and in 2023, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was agreed to extend the life of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 reactors to 2035.[10]

Fossil fuels

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Closed coal mine in Belgium

Coal power

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The use of coal in thermal power plants has been decreasing. In 2000 coal was still used to produce 14.25% of electricity,[11] by 2006 this had dropped to about 10%; and in 2010 it was down to 6.3%. The last conventional coal units of the thermal power plants in Mol and Kallo were closed in March 2016.[12]

Natural gas

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In 2022 gas accounted for 24.4% of gross electricity generated, with coal at 0.04%.[13] Fluxys is the main operator in natural gas transmission.

Several power stations use a combined cycle including: Drogenbos, Amercoeur [fr], Tessenderlo. Building permits are being processed for plants in Seneffe and Visé.

Oil refining

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At the end of 2011 Belgium had a distillation capacity 41 Mt. That year 72% of the capacity was used. [14]

Renewables

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Years in which the last three renewable power levels achieved
Achievement Year Achievement Year Achievement Year
5% 2007 10% 2018 15% not achieved[3]

Renewable energy includes wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy sources.

In 2000, renewable energy (including biomass) was used for producing 0.95% of the 78.85 TWh of electricity produced domestically[11] This had risen to 13.01% in 2021.[15]

On 11 May 2022 7,112 MW was generated by combined wind and solar energy production.[16]

Wind power

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Main article: Wind power in Belgium
Further information: Wind power in the European Union

At the start of 2012, there were 498 operational wind turbines in Belgium, with a capacity of 1080 MW.[17] The amount of electricity generated from wind energy has surpassed 2 TWh per year.[18] By 2021 wind power accounted for 19% of Belgium’s installed power generation capacity and 11% of total power generation.

There are seven large-scale offshore wind farm projects. Northwind (216MW), Thorntonbank Wind Farm (325 MW), Belwind Wind Farm (330 MW) are operational. The others are in various stages of planning.

EU and Belgium Wind Energy Capacity (MW)[19][20][21][22][23][24]
No Country 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
– EU-27 153,730 141,726 128,751 117,384 105,696 93,957 84,074 74,767 64,712 56,517 48,069 40,511 34,383 28,599 23,159 17,315 12,887 9,678 6,453
15 Belgium 2,386 2,218 1,959 1,665 1,375 1,078 911 563 415 287 194 167 96 68 35 32 13 6 6

Solar power

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Main article: Solar power in Belgium

The exploitation of Solar power is on the rise in Belgium. In 2021 solar accounted for 27% of Belgium’s power generation capacity and 6% of total power generation.[25]

Year Photovoltaics[26][27][28][29][30]
MWp GWh Ref
2008 71 n.a
2009 574 488
2010 787 560
2011 2,051 1,170
2012 2,768 2,115
2013 2,983 2,352
2014 3,140 2,883
2015 3,252 3,045 [31]
2016 3,561 3,086 [32]
2017 3,846 3,149 [32]
2018 4,254 3,563
Source: Photovoltaic Barometer

Biomass and waste

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In 2009, biomass and biogas were used to generate 3.5 TWh or 3.8% of gross domestic electricity production.

In 2010 5.07 million tonnes of waste was produced in Belgium, of which 1.75 Mt was incinerated. Nearly always (99.8% of the time) energy was recovered during incineration. Non renewable waste was used for producing 1.4% of the gross domestic electricity production. 1.9 Mt was recycled and 1 Mt was composted or fermented; only 0.062 Mt was dumped.[33] Ten years earlier this was only 0.71%.[11]

Hydroelectric power

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Belgium has two pumped storage hydroelectric power stations: Coo-Trois-Ponts (1164 MW) and Plate-Taille (143 MW). Pumped storage stations are a net consumer of electricity, but they contributed 1.4% to the gross electricity production in 2010.

Despite the limited potential there are also a number of stations generating hydroelectric power. With a combined capacity of about 100 MW. Contributing 0.3% of gross domestic production in 2010.

Almost all of this capacity is realised in the Walloon Region. Even though hydroelectric power was used extensively in Flanders prior to the industrial revolution, there are no rivers where it can be generated on a large scale.[34] The region's 15 installations have a combined capacity just shy of 1 MW (994 kW).[35]

Final energy consumption

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Final energy consumption by sector (2010)

In 2010 the largest share (34%) of final energy was for domestic use (this includes: households, service sector, commerce, and agriculture). Transport and industrial sector both consumed about a quarter. Fossil fuels are also used as raw material in several manufacturing processes, this non-energetic use accounts for the remainder of the final energy.

A more detailed picture of the energy and type of fuel used by various activities is given in the table below.

final energy by activity(ktoe)[36]
Electricity Natural gas Coal Oil Renewable Heat Total Share of final energy
Domestic usage (2009)
Households 1738 3322 264 2756 231 13 8324 20.2%
Commerce and services 1847 1728 952 9 69 4605 11.2%
Agriculture 88 235 433 35 25 816 2.0%
Other 9 9 46 64 0.2%
Industrial usage (2009)
Chemical 746 1979 13 149 18 370 3275 7.9%
Iron and steel 447 678 578 11 1714 4.2%
Non metal minerals 168 290 202 269 94 1023 2.5%
Food/beverage/tobacco 400 531 56 51 18 30 1086 2.6%
Printing/paper pulp 205 148 33 15 307 50 758 1.8%
Construction 110 197 63 3 370 0.9%
Non ferro metals 114 96 22 111 343 0.8%
Machinery 151 66 2 17 2 238 0.6%
Textile and leather 108 97 3 1 3 212 0.5%
Transportation items 87 92 4 183 0.4%
Wood 67 9 103 179 0.4%
Extractive industries 54 11 65 0.2%
Other 152 42 6 218 14 432 1.0%
Transport usage (2009)
Road 8881 231 9112 22.1%
Air 1295 1295 3.1%
Rail 151 35 186 0.5%
Inland navigation 165 165 0.4%
Total final usage (2010)
Absolute 2010 7163 11960 1363 21746 1156 640 44028
Share 2010 16.3% 27.2% 3.1% 49.4% 2.6% 1.5% 100%

Brussels-Capital Region

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In the Brussels-Capital Region, the electricity and natural gas net are operated by Sibelga. In 2011, the natural gas consumption was 10,480 GWh and the electricity consumption was 5,087 GWh.[37]

Sibelga invests in combined heat and power (CHP) installations for which it receives green certificates. In 2011 its eleven installations had a combined capacity of 17.8 MWe and 19.7 MWth and generated 50.5 GWh of electricity.[37]

The Region of Brussels-Capital also encourages MicroCHP[38] and implemented the European directive of 2002/91/CE on Energy Performance of Buildings.

Corporations

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The companies Umicore, BASF, Solvay, Duferco, Tessenderlo Chemie [nl], ArcelorMittal, and Air Liquide together account for about 15% of the total electricity consumption of Belgium in 2006.[39]

Greenhouse gas emissions

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Main article: Climate change in Belgium

In 1990, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 146.9 million tons of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2 eq), whose 88 million tons came from the Flemish Region, 54.8 from the Walloon Region and 4 Mt from the Brussels-capital Region.[40]

Being a member of the European Union, Belgium, applied the European Union Emission Trading Scheme set up by the Directive 2003/87/EC. The Kyoto protocol sets a 7.5% reduction of greenhouse gas emission target compared to 1990. Belgium set up a National Allocation Plan at the federal level with target for each of the three regions.

Belgium takes part in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and has ratified the Kyoto Protocol.

On 14 November 2002, Belgium signed the Cooperation Agreement for the implementation of a National Climate Plan and reporting in the context of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto protocol. The first National Allocation Plan was for the period from 2005 to 2007. The European Commission approved it on 20 October 2004. The second allocation plan was for the period 2008–2012 and aims a reduction of 7.5% of green house gas emissions compared to 1990.

By 2019, the Walloon region had decreased 34% of its CO2 emissions, while Flanders had only decreased 8%.

Business

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According to the Forbes list of billionaires (2011), the Belgian billionaire Wang Xingchun ($1 billion 2011) made his wealth in the coal business.[41] Wang is a resident of Singapore who holds Belgian citizenship. Wang is the chairman of Winsway Coking Coal, a company that imports coal from Mongolia to China and went public in Hong Kong in 2010.[42]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Energy in Belgium.

References

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  1. ^ "The Brussels Capital Region 2022: Air, Climate and Energy". 5 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Belgium". Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Energy consumption in Belgium". 2020.
  4. ^ "Crude Petroleum in Belgium". March 2023.
  5. ^ "Belgium Natural Gas Security Policy". 10 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Factsheet elia" (PDF). Elia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  7. ^ "Jaarverslag 2011" (PDF). FEBEG. Retrieved 17 November 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ 31 Januari 2003. – Wet houdende de geleidelijke uitstap uit kernenergie voor industriële elektriciteitsproductie."Belgisch Staatsblad N. 66 (jaargang 173)" (PDF) (in Dutch and French). Belgisch Staatsblad. 28 February 2003. pp. 17662–17665. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  10. ^ "Belgium and Engie agree on nuclear reactor extensions". Reuters. 29 June 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "DRAFT of Belgian National Allocation Plan for CO2-emission allowances 2008–2012" (PDF). September 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  12. ^ "Activities and Sustainable Development Report 2010" (PDF). Electrabel. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  13. ^ "Distribution of electricity generation in Belgium in 2022, by source". Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Jaarverslag 2011" (PDF). Belgische Petroleum Federatie. p. 2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
  15. ^ "Steady rise in Belgium's renewable energy consumption in 2021". 23 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Belgium's 2022 electricity mix: the increase in renewable energy and availability of nuclear power plants kept exports high". 6 January 2023.
  17. ^ Environ 500 éoliennes en Belgique, Lalibre.be, 11 janvier 2012
  18. ^ "Record aan stroom uit windmolens". Gazet van Antwerpen. 8 February 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
  19. ^ EWEA Staff (2010). "Cumulative installed capacity per EU Member State 1998 – 2009 (MW)". European Wind Energy Association. Archived from the original on 15 June 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  20. ^ EWEA Staff (February 2011). "EWEA Annual Statistics 2010" (PDF). European Wind Energy Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  21. ^ EWEA Staff (February 2012). "EWEA Annual Statistics 2011" (PDF). European Wind Energy Association. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2011.
  22. ^ Wind in power: 2012 European statistics Archived 9 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine February 2013
  23. ^ WindEurope, Iván Pineda (19 October 2017). "WindEurope Annual Statistics 2016" (PDF). windeurope.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  24. ^ EWEA (19 October 2017). "EWEA Annual Statistics 2014" (PDF). windeurope.org/. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  25. ^ "Solar PV capacity in Belgium and major projects". 20 June 2023.
  26. ^ Photovoltaic Barometer 2012
  27. ^ Photovoltaic Barometer 2010
  28. ^ Photovoltaic Barometer 2011
  29. ^ Photovoltaic Barometer
  30. ^ EUROBSER'VER. "Photovoltaic Barometer – installations 2012 and 2013" (PDF). energies-renouvelables.org. pp. 5, 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  31. ^ "Photovoltaic barometer 2017 | EurObserv'ER". www.eurobserv-er.org. 28 November 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  32. ^ a b "Photovoltaic barometer 2018". 28 April 2018.
  33. ^ "Key Figures 2012" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
  34. ^ "Kleine Waterkracht" (PDF) (in Dutch). ODE (Organisatie voor duurzame energie). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  35. ^ "Geïnstalleerd vermogen en aantal groenestroominstallaties per provincie" (PDF) (in Dutch). VREG. June 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  36. ^ "De energiemarkt in 2009" (PDF). FOD Economie, K.M.O, Middenstand en Energie. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
  37. ^ a b "Rapport annuel 2011" (PDF) (in French). Sibelga. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  38. ^ "Centre Urbain" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2009.
  39. ^ http://www.solvay.com/EN/NewsPress/Documents/2006/20061011_bluesky_EN.pdf [dead link‍]
  40. ^ Federal Public Service of Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment (September 2006). Draft of Belgian National Allocation Plan for CO2-emission allowances 2008–2012 (PDF). Brussels. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 July 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2009.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  41. ^ Forbes list of billionaires (2011) Forbes list of billionaires (2011) Energy Archived 26 February 2022 at the Wayback Machine Forbes 10 March 2011
  42. ^ "Forbes Billionaires 2021: The Richest People in the World". Forbes. Archived from the original on 4 January 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
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