Febeliec, the sector organisation for large industrial energy consumers, on Monday raised the alarm once again about energy costs in Belgium.
A study conducted by KPMG at Febeliec’s request points to "a worrying crisis of confidence in Belgian industry around the availability and affordability of climate-neutral electricity," Febeliec reported at a press conference on Monday.
KPMG surveyed 22 top industrial entrepreneurs last summer, whose companies account for about a quarter of industrial electricity consumption and more than 40,000 direct jobs in Belgium.
The survey revealed that the industry considers the total cost of electricity in Belgium to be among the highest in the world. Security of electricity supply also remains a major concern and weighs on industrial investment decisions.
The survey shows that only the pharmaceutical sector still has significant plans to expand production capacity. "Future investments are being postponed or shifted to other countries," says Febeliec. “The first signs of delocalisation are likely to remain under the radar and may not even be noticed."
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Febeliec also commissioned a study from EnergyVille/VITO, which confirms the potential of existing and new nuclear reactors to contribute to a climate-neutral economy at a lower cost. An extension of 2 GW of nuclear capacity for 20 years instead of 10, and a lifetime extension of 2 GW of additional nuclear capacity make economic sense, according to the study, leading to "significantly lower electricity system costs and further reduction of CO2 emissions."
Febeliec calls on the federal and regional governments to quickly develop a coherent, forward-looking climate, energy and industrial strategy and restore the investment climate for industrial activities in Belgium.
