More and more families in Flanders are receiving their energy supply from network operator Fluvius after being rejected by commercial suppliers for non-payment, according to figures released on Tuesday by Flemish Energy Minister Melissa Depraetere.
In 2024, Fluvius provided electricity to 79,081 households and gas to 61,469 households. Two years prior, these figures stood at 75,000 for electricity and 56,000 for gas.
This information comes from the social report by the Flemish Utilities Regulator, which indicates that energy suppliers enforced stricter payment terms in 2024. Over 97,000 families received termination notices after failing to pay their electricity bills following two reminder letters. Many eventually paid, resulting in the cancellation of contract terminations for over 55,000 households. Ultimately, 41,495 families were disconnected by their suppliers, similar to the figure in 2023. For natural gas, nearly 75,000 families received warnings, with more than 32,000 contracts ultimately terminated.
Families unable to secure commercial contracts are served by Fluvius, which acted as a social supplier for 84,000 families, providing electricity to over 79,000 and gas to over 61,000, often supplying both services.
Interestingly, in 2024, Fluvius’s standard tariff was cheaper than commercial rates for average consumption, being 3% lower for electricity and 1% lower for gas. This has hindered the return to the commercial market, as reported by the regulator. The tariffs do not incentivise a return to commercial suppliers.
“More families are struggling to pay their energy bills,” stated Minister Depraetere. “Prices are soaring due to our reliance on unpredictable regimes like those of Trump and Putin. They can increase our energy costs with a single decision, threatening household purchasing power.”
Depraetere also reminded that the upcoming Flemish Climate Plan, due before summer, will include reforms to lower electricity costs.
Additionally, she highlighted the reformed “Mijn Verbouwpremie,” effective from March. From summer onwards, support will focus solely on energy-efficient renovations for low- and middle-income households. Lower-income families could receive up to 50% of renovation costs, while support for higher-income families will decrease.
