Since 2021, they have increased dramatically. When will we return to normal?
Belgian
+ the 300 €/MWh
The record level of gas prices in August 2022. The current average is €35/MWh. And 20 €/MWh before the energy crisis.
90 %
Since 2022, the EU has required each member state to almost completely fill its gas reserves by November 1 each year. Hence pressure on the markets during this period.
180 €
Following the energy crisis, the EU decided on a new mechanism capping gas prices as soon as they exceed this amount per MWh.
Top 3
In 2023, Belgium was one of the most expensive European countries, along with Germany and the Netherlands.
6% VAT
Since April 1, 2023, the VAT rate on natural gas and electricity has been reduced to 6% instead of 21% permanently in Belgium for households.
Stabilization soon?
After a completely crazy 2022 in terms of energy prices, the time has come for stabilization, with a drastic reduction in the costs of gas and electricity (which are inseparably linked). But for all that, we have not yet returned to pre-2021 levels. What factors could shake everything up? “The deterioration of the geopolitical situation. We very clearly have the conflict between Russia and Ukraine but also the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, currently with Israel and Iran,” analyzes Damien Ernst, energy expert. Price destabilization could occur in the event of major attacks on large energy infrastructure, which is not the case at the moment. This portends good news for your bill this winter. “We could see a loss of 20% on the price of wholesale gas in the coming months. I don’t think that prices will return to 20 €/MWh as before, but why not at values between 25 and 30 €/MWh, it would not be unrealizable.”
