BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

In Belgium, electricity from renewable sources is promoted mainly through a quota system based on the trade of certificates. In general, renewable energy is a regional matter; only offshore wind power and hydro power are governed by national regulations. As far as the national promotion of heat and cooling is concerned,  companies are eligible for a tax deduction on investment costs. Transport is a matter of federal competence in Belgium as well. The main support scheme for renewable energy sources used in transport is a quota system. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

In Belgium, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is basically regulated by the general legislation on energy. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. The grid users are not entitled to the expansion of the grid.

Several policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations on the federal level in Belgium including training programmes for RES-installers as well as an indirect fiscal mechanism for research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programmes. Moreover, the exemplary role of public authorities is ensured through a public energy service company in charge of achieving and financing energy saving projects in public federal buildings.In the Brussels-Capital Region, the production of electricity from renewable energy sources is promoted through the federal system of green certificates as well as through regional support schemes such as energy subsidies, investment assistance for companies and net-metering. In the Brussels-Capital Region, the generation of heat from renewable energy sources is promoted through energy subsidies as well as through investment assistance for companies.

Brussels

In the Brussels-Capital region, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is basically regulated by the Brussels-Capital distribution grid code and by the regional electricity market ordinance. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. Several policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations, including  RES obligations in new public buildings and a support scheme for the development of the RES-H infrastructure. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Flanders

Flanders supports electricity from renewable energy sources by means of a quota system, an ecological premium and a net-metering scheme. Regarding heating and cooling from renewable energy resources, the Flemish support scheme provides for a quota system. Grid operators and municipalities are responsible for setting up premium schemes. The access of electricity from renewable energy sources to the grid is regulated by the basic legislation on energy market and technical regulations by the Flemish Electricity and Gas Regulator (VREG). Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. Distribution grid operators are obliged to finance grid expansion. Diverse policies are currently under discussion. The level of implementation differs. On 28 September 2012, the Energy Regulation has been revised transposing the building obligations for heat from renewable energy into Flemish law. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Wallonia

In the Walloon region, the generation of electricity through renewable energy plants is promoted through the federal system of green certificates as well as through regional support schemes such as energy subsidies, investment assistance for companies or for public bodies and net-metering. The generation of heat through renewable energy plants is promoted through a system of energy subsidies, the granting of a zero-percent interest loan as well as through investment assistance for companies. In the Walloon region, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is basically regulated by the Walloon grid code and by the regional electricity market decree. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. Several policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations, including training programmes for RES-installers; research, development and dissemination (RD&D) programmes; a building obligation for the use of renewable heating and a support scheme for the development of the RES-H infrastructure. Moreover, the Walloon government has developed a programme ensuring the exemplary role of public authorities.

ELECTRICITY

Support schemes

In Belgium, electricity from renewable sources is promoted mainly through a quota system based on the trade of certificates. In general, renewable energy is a regional matter; only offshore wind and hydro power are governed by national regulations. The federal grid operator shall meet public obligations, which include the purchase of green certificates at a minimum price set by law for certain renewable electricity generation technologies. As described below, every region (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels Capital) has its own standards of support for renewable energy, based on a national framework. Electricity suppliers are obliged to present green certificates to prove that a certain proportion (quota) of the electricity supplied to their final consumers in Belgium was generated from renewable sources. This quota may differ according to the region. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Please note: As in Belgium the competences are distributed between the national and the regional authorities, the information on Belgium presented on this website will comprise both national support schemes and regional schemes in Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels Capital.

Brussels

In the Brussels-Capital Region, the production of electricity from renewable energy sources is promoted through the federal system of green certificates as well as through regional support schemes such as energy subsidies, investment assistance for companies and net-metering.

Flanders

Flanders supports electricity from renewable energy sources by means of a quota system, an ecological premium and a net-metering scheme. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Wallonia

In the Walloon region, the generation of electricity through renewable energy plants is promoted through the federal system of green certificates as well as through regional support schemes such as energy subsidies, investment assistance for companies or for public bodies and net-metering.

More about support schemes

Grid issues

In Belgium, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is basically regulated by the general legislation on energy. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. The grid users are not entitled to the expansion of the grid.

The three regions are competent for the distribution as well as for the local transmission of electricity via grids with a nominal output of maximum 70kV. This corresponds to low (up to 30 kV) and middle (30 to 70 kV) voltage.

Brussels

In the Brussels-Capital region, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is basically regulated by the Brussels-Capital distribution grid code and by the regional electricity market ordinance. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid.

Flanders

In Flanders, access of electricity from renewable energy sources to the grid is regulated by the basic legislation on energy market and technical regulations by the Flemish Electricity and Gas Regulator (VREG). Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid. Distribution grid operators are obliged to finance grid expansion.

Wallonia

In the Walloon region, access of electricity from renewable energy sources is basically regulated by the Walloon grid code and by the regional electricity market decree. Electricity from renewable energy sources is given priority in both connection to and use of the grid.

More about grid issues

Policies

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations on the federal level in Belgium: There are training programmes for RES-installers, a certification scheme for heat pumps installations as well as an indirect fiscal mechanism for research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programmes. Moreover, the exemplary role of public authorities is ensured through a public energy service company in charge of achieving and financing energy saving projects in public federal buildings. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Brussels

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations: the obligation of 30 % of green energy in the total energy consumption of new public buildings and a support scheme for the development of the RES-H infrastructure. However, there is no regional certification programme for RES installations, no research, development and dissemination (RD&D) programmes and no building obligations for the use of renewable heating provided in the Brussels-Capital region.

Flanders

Diverse policies are currently under discussion. The level of implementation differs.

Wallonia

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations: There are 2 training programmes for RES-installers, two different research, development and dissemination (RD&D) programmes, a building obligation for the use of renewable heating and a support scheme for the development of the RES-H infrastructure. Moreover, the Walloon government has developed a programme ensuring the exemplary role of public authorities. However, there is no regional certification programme for RES installations provided in the Walloon region.

More about policies

HEATING AND COOLING

Support schemes

In Belgium, energy is a matter of regional competence. However, one fiscal measure promotes the use of heat production from renewable energy sources on the federal level: namely the tax deduction on investment costs for companies. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Brussels

In the Brussels-Capital Region, the generation of heat from renewable energy sources is promoted through energy subsidies as well as through investment assistance for companies.

Flanders

Regarding heating and cooling from renewable energy resources, the Flemish support scheme so far only provides for a quota system. A more profound support scheme has been agreed upon in form of an action plan; however, the final version of this plan is still in the legislative process. Grid operators and municipalities are responsible for setting up premium schemes.

Wallonia

In the Walloon region, the generation of heat through renewable energy plants is promoted through a system of energy subsidies, the granting of a zero-percent interest loan as well as through investment assistance for companies.

More about support schemes

Policies

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations on the federal level in Belgium: There are training programmes for RES-installers, a certification scheme for heat pumps installations as well as an indirect fiscal mechanism for research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programmes. Moreover, the exemplary role of public authorities is ensured through a public energy service company in charge of achieving and financing energy saving projects in public federal buildings. BELGIUM RENEWABLE INCENTIVES

Brussels

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations: Training programmes for RES-installers, the obligation of 30 % of green energy in the total energy consumption of new public buildings and a support scheme for the development of the RES-H infrastructure. However, there is no regional certification programme for RES installations, no research, development and dissemination (RD&D) programmes and no building obligations for the use of renewable heating provided in the Brussels-Capital region.

Flanders

Diverse policies are currently under discussion. The level of implementation differs.

Wallonia

The following policies aim at promoting the development, installation and usage of RES-installations: There are 2 training programmes for RES-installers, two different research, development and dissemination (RD&D) programmes, a building obligation for the use of renewable heating and a support scheme for the development of the RES-H infrastructure. Moreover, the Walloon government has developed a programme ensuring the exemplary role of public authorities. However, there is no regional certification programme for RES installations provided in the Walloon region.

More about policies

TRANSPORT – MOBILITY

Support schemes

Transport is a matter of federal competence in Belgium. Therefore, there are no regional support schemes for the production of biofuels. The main support scheme for renewable energy sources used in transport is a blending obligation. This scheme obliges companies to satisfy a defined volume of sustainable biofuels within one calendar year. Furthermore, biofuels are supported through tax regulations.

More about support schemes

Source and more information on: RES LEGAL