Nevertheless,
Energy: why brussels invoices more:
Five electricity suppliers in Brussels against nine in Wallonia and 20 in Flanders. Meanwhile, Result: strong competition between operators both in the north. In addition, that the south of the country allows households to obtain more competitive prices while Brussels residents cannot benefit from it. In addition, This is what an analysis carried out by Brugel concludes, the energy market regulator in the Brussels-Capital Region.
The lack of real competition – Energy: why brussels invoices more
In one of its last thematic notebooks. For example, reviewing the data of the year 2024, we learn that “Analysis of the residential energy market in Belgium reveals disparate regional dynamics, directly impacting competition, prices and mobility of consumers“. However, One of the consequences is the dominant position of a unique actor in the Capital Region: Engie Electrabel (followed by Totalenergies. Meanwhile, Luminus then Bolt, Mega and Brusol, last arrival). Moreover, In energy: why brussels invoices more 2024 alone, Engie Electrabel held at the end of 2024 73% of the market shares. In Wallonia, this share falls to 46% and even 40% in Flanders.
“In Brussels. For example, the market is not very competitive, very concentrated, because alternative suppliers are not very active commercially, in particular because of unattractive administrative and legal rules and a limited market. However, This contributes to whatie keeps her dominant position“, Deplets Brugel.”Following the application of these managers of executives. Similarly, some suppliers practice a strategy differentiated by region and are almost absent in a region and rather well established in others (example of Eneco in the head of head in Flanders and Marginal in the Brussels region).“
In the Brussels Region, Several actors have recently decided to fold up. Meanwhile, In the image. in September 2023, of Eneco which advanced the argument according to which Brussels legislation is complex and overprotected energy: why brussels invoices more customers. Little margin, estimated Eneco, to terminate the contracts of the bad payers and the recovery of the arrears. A few months earlier. Octa + left Brussels and Mega decided not to offer new contracts explaining that he is confronted with more risks in Brussels than elsewhere in the country.
The most advantageous price. not so advantageous – Energy: why brussels invoices more
Today, at the rate level, for fixed or variable, This gives fairly substantial differences. “There are four times fewer offers for electricity contracts in Brussels in Brussels. and half as much as in the Walloon region. The same observation prevails for gas supply offers.“
Brugel Ajoute: “The most advantageous offer in Brussels has been systematically less competitive since 2021 than in other regions. This is explained by the absence of certain attractive offers on the Brussels market. such as the Prepaid Flex formula of Mega, Luminus or Octa + offers“which are not available energy: why brussels invoices more in the Brussels region.
If we analyze the most advantageous offer in Brussels (Bolt variable Go). it will in any case be 11% more expensive than the best offer in Flanders. Worse: a supplier can offer different prices depending on a region. “”For example, the Totalnergies Pixel offer is billed 13.16 cents/kWh in Flanders, against 15.60 cents/kWh in the Brussels-Capital Region, a difference of 85.40 euros per year for an average consumption of 3500 kWh. This type of differentiation reinforces regional inequalities of access to advantageous prices, to the detriment of Brussels households.“
Supplier change
Note that since 2024, switching has been going upwards. Switching is the supplier change rate. It reached 3.05% in Brussels, the highest rate in 15 years. “”This development is mainly due to the initiative of the customers themselves. potentially stimulated by niche offers (for example those of Brusol and Bolt)“, pointe User.
If this rebound energy: why brussels invoices more is encouraging. “It remains very much lower than the Flemish rate (around 18%) and slightly lower than the Walloon rate (approximately 4%). While the Flemish. Walloon regions are experiencing postcris normalization with slightly drop switching rates, Brussels seems to start a catch -up, tending to get closer to Walloon dynamics on electricity.“
Energy precariousness
In addition to less competitive prices. the state of the Brussels market induces another consequence: increased energy in precariousness with households that can no longer pay their bills. Despite everything. as provided for in Brussels regulations, they are protected, do not undergo a cut as such and continue to benefit from electricity and gas, classified as basic necessities. Electricity and gas are then provided by Sibelga which saw its supply points triple in ten years.
“The social supplier occupies fifth place in the Brussels region. Wallonia, but only the seventh in Flanders, reflecting a more energy: why brussels invoices more marked energy precariousness in these first two regions.“
As of December 31, 2024, Sibelga supplied more than 9,800 electricity customers (9350) and more than 7,300 in gas (6700 in 2023). “”The amount of total cumulative debt of protected customers for gas. electricity for the period from 2009 to 2024 is now more than 53 million euros.”
The debt by active protected client varies from less than 300 euros to amounts ranging from 1000 to more than 8000 euros.
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