The unstable energy prices that have affected Europe in recent months have led Brussels households to reconsider where they source their energy. In the last year, nearly 500 Brussels households started sharing energy with neighbours.
One year ago, the Brussels government adopted the electricity ordinance establishing the energy-sharing scheme. Now, almost 500 Brussels households are sharing energy using locally produced renewable energy at a preferential rate that is stable and predictable over time.
The procedural framework for this to take place was pushed by the Minister for Climate Transition and Energy Alain Maron. "Sharing our resources, in this case, energy that can then be managed locally, is an important step towards a fair and inclusive energy transition," said Maron.
"Energy sharing increases the number of renewable energy installations in the territory." He explained that this lowers initial costs, making them more profitable and reducing the load on the power grid, as energy is consumed locally. Moreover, the plan allows people who cannot personally install solar panels to still use renewable energy. "Access to clean energy is a fundamental right that I want to guarantee to all Brussels residents."
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In September 2022, Belgium's first energy community was launched in the city of Mechelen, with 70 homes and 15 apartments sharing the yield of the 729 solar panels on their roofs. As locals were sharing the cost, they paid less than the social rate and far below the regular rate.
Later, the Brussels ordinance reforming energy markets resulted in many energy-sharing projects being realised on the territory. Five energy communities have been created, of which the first was set up in Ixelles this summer and the latest one, Gissolar in Berchem-Saint-Agathe, was approved at the end of October. Additionally, 50 activities around energy sharing between neighbours are ongoing.
Maron noted that there are many other projects in the pipeline. The facilitator Energy Sharing of Brussels Environment has responded to almost 1,000 applications for similar initiatives to be set up.
