In response to persistent IT issues affecting thousands of households, the Flemish Parliament has approved a decree allowing compensation for customers not receiving electricity or gas bills from network operator Fluvius.
The IT problems have led to blocked EAN numbers, unique identifiers for gas and electricity connections, thus preventing households from receiving their utility bills. This blockage has caused significant distress, leaving families without information on their bills and unable to switch to potentially cheaper suppliers.
Although the number of affected households has decreased recently, Kris Verduyckt, leader of the Vooruit party, reports that around 2,000 families are still affected. He described the situation as having a utility bill looming “like the Sword of Damocles.”
Verduyckt proposed giving affected customers €45 per month in compensation for each access point, and requiring only a simple application without needing to prove financial hardship.
“People are entitled to regular, accurate billing and should not suffer from IT issues related to supplier changes or relocations,” commented Andries Gryffroy of the Nieuw Vlaamse Alliantie (N-VA). He highlighted the regulation’s aim to pressure Fluvius into resolving the problem.
Christen Democratisch en Vlaams (CD&V) member Robrecht Bothuyne expressed hope that the compensation would never be needed. He said it was just meant as leverage to ensure that Fluvius and suppliers deliver correct bills to every customer.
