Summary Households across the country will see higher energy bills in 2025 due to rising network fees for electricity and gas. The increase is driven by inflation and major investments in modernizing the energy grid, supporting renewable energy, and meeting growing demand.
The expected increases per year for an average household are as follows:
- Flanders: €120 (+33%) for electricity, €15 (+6%) for gas
- Wallonia: €128 total (including 14% increase in distribution costs and 51% increase in transport costs)
- Brussels: €27 (+12%) for electricity, €23 (+13%) for gas, totaling €67
The actual impact will vary depending on consumption habits and location. Monitoring energy usage through available digital tools can help consumers manage expenses more effectively.
What Are Network Fees? Network fees cover the costs of transporting and distributing electricity and gas to homes. These charges are included in energy bills and are used to maintain and upgrade infrastructure, ensuring reliable energy supply.
Why Are Transport and Distribution Costs Increasing? Several key factors are driving the rise in network fees:
- Inflation: Higher operational and maintenance costs impact energy distribution.
- Energy Transition Investments: Governments and energy providers are modernizing the grid to accommodate renewable energy sources and increasing electricity demand. Key initiatives include:
- Installation of smart meters
- Strengthening and upgrading electricity infrastructure
- Development of new facilities to support wind and solar energy
- Preparation for higher electricity demand from electric vehicles and heat pumps These upgrades are essential for maintaining a stable and efficient energy supply.
How Will This Affect Your Energy Bill? The impact on your bill depends on factors such as location, energy consumption, and use of renewable energy sources like solar panels. Households with higher consumption will face steeper increases in transport and distribution costs.
To get a clearer picture of how this will affect your expenses, you can use digital monitoring tools provided by your energy provider.
Expected Impact by Region
Flanders:
- Significant increase in network costs for electricity and gas.
- An average household will see an increase of €120 per year (+33%) for electricity and €15 per year (+6%) for natural gas.
- More details available on the VREG website (in Dutch).
Wallonia:
- Distribution costs will rise by an average of 14% for electricity and gas.
- Transport costs will increase by 51% compared to 2024.
- This results in an overall increase of approximately €128 per year for an average household.
- Additional information available on the CWAPE website.
Brussels:
- Notable increase in network costs for electricity and gas.
- Distribution costs will rise by €27 per year (+12%) for electricity and €23 per year (+13%) for gas.
- Including transport costs, an average household will see a total increase of €67 per year.
- More details available on the BRUGEL website.
Monitor Your Consumption To manage rising energy costs, consumers are encouraged to track their usage through digital tools offered by their energy provider. These tools provide real-time insights and estimated billing, helping households take control of their expenses.
Stay informed on energy developments and take proactive steps to optimize your consumption.