Electricity production in Belgium reached 87.9 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2020, with nuclear power (39%), natural gas (30%), and wind (15%) as the primary sources. Additional contributions came from biofuels and waste (7%), solar (6%), and coal (2%). In the same year, the total electricity demand was 80.9 TWh, with consumption predominantly from the industrial sector (50%), followed by commercial (25%), residential (23%), and transport (2%) sectors.[1] [2]
Belgium's federal electricity policy aims to enhance renewable energy, increase cross-border interconnection capacity, and phase out nuclear power by 2025. A key initiative includes promoting offshore wind energy through competitive auctioning processes. In response to the nuclear phase-out, Belgium is set to introduce between 2.0 and 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity by 2025.
In 2008 Belgium consumed electricity 8,961 kWh/person. EU15 average was 7,409 kWh/person.[3]
| Use | Production | Net Imports | Fossil | Other RE | Biomass & waste | Wind | Non RE use* | RE % | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| align=left | 2004 | 8,967 | 8,219 | 749 | 8.3% | align= right | 3,323 | 4,540 | 50.6 % | 168 | 187 | 8,612 | align= right | 4.0% | ||||||||
| align=left | 2005 | 8,913 | 8,311 | 602 | 6.8 % | align= right | 3,351 | 4,546 | align=right | 51.0% | 200 | 215 | 8,499 | align= right | 4.7% | |||||||
| align=left | 2006 | 9,111 | 8,466 | 645 | 7.1% | align=right | 3,343 | align=right | 4,581 | align=right | 50.3 % | align=right | 234 | 308 | align=right | 8,568 | align=right | 5.9% | ||||
| align=left | 2008 | align=right | 8,961 | align=right | 7,962 | 999 | 11.1% | align=right | 2,997 | align=right | 4,295 | align=right | 47.9 % | align=right | 252 | 418 | align=right | 8,291 | align=right | 7.5% | ||
| align=left | 2009 | align=right | 8,152 | align=right | 8,319 | -167 | -2.0 % | align=right | 3,330 | align=right | 4,388 | align=right | 53.8% | align=right | 74* | 436 | align=right | 93* | align=right | 7,549 | align=right | 7,4% |
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Total electricity imports in Belgium were 11 TWh in 2008. This was the seventh highest total in the world behind Brazil (42 TWh), Italy (40 TWh), USA (33 TWh), the Netherlands (16 TWh), Finland (13 TWh), and the UK (11 TWh).[4] More recent data show that this deficit was reduced to 9.6 TWh in 2013.
Belgium has traditionally depended on electricity imports, mainly from France and, in recent years, the Netherlands. Although it has been a net importer since 1991, it became a net exporter in more recent years, particularly in 2019 and 2020. The net exports in 2019 reached 1.9 terawatt-hours (TWh), supported by increased nuclear generation, enhanced wind and solar PV production, and the initiation of its first interconnection with the United Kingdom. However, net exports fell to 0.3 TWh in 2020.
In 2020, Belgium's nuclear sector comprised seven reactors across two power plants, with an installed capacity of 5.94 gigawatts (GW). The nuclear reactors generated 34.4 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, marking a 28% decrease since 2010. Despite this decline, nuclear energy accounted for 17.8% of Belgium's total energy supply and 39.2% of its electricity generation.
Belgium's nuclear policy aims to achieve a secure phase-out by 2025 while prioritizing safe waste disposal and research continuity. Oversight of safety and licensing is entrusted to the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control. Enacted in 2003, Belgium's federal law mandates the phase-out of all nuclear electricity generation. Amendments in 2013 and 2015 extended the operational lifespan of two reactors until 2025. In 2022, Belgium extended 2 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity for ten years, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels as reasons. In accordance with this revised plan, the majority of Belgium's nuclear power generation capacity will be phased-out by 2025. Additionally, Belgium implemented a Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM), auctioning payments to 4.4 GW of capacity in October 2021, aimed at supporting electricity supply.
From 2010 to 2020, Belgium's production of electricity from renewable sources expanded from 5.4 terawatt-hours (TWh) to 23.4 TWh. This growth was principally attributed to an increase in wind energy, from 1.4% to 14.4% of the country's total electricity generation, and an enhancement in solar photovoltaic (PV) output, from 0.6% to 5.8%. Additionally, electricity generated from bioenergy—which encompasses solid biomass, biogas, renewable waste, and liquid biofuels—rose from 4.4% to 6.0%. Conversely, due to Belgium's constrained hydropower resources, hydropower's share of electricity generation remained minimal, at 0.3% in 2020.
In 2020, Belgium's CO2 emissions from energy use were predominantly from industry (32%), buildings (26%), transportation (25%), and electricity/heat generation (17%). The major fuel sources driving these emissions included oil (46%) and natural gas (40%), with coal (10%) and non-renewable waste (4%) also contributing.