Belgian high-voltage grid operator wants more money for energy transition

The Belgian high-voltage operator Elia wants to charge higher tariffs for its infrastructure investments, but negotiations with federal energy regulator CREG are dragging on. Elia reiterated its importance on the sidelines of its financial results for the first half of 2023.

The energy transition is continuing "faster than expected". "In May 2023, wind farms and solar panels across the EU generated more electricity than fossil-fuel power plants for the first time in a single month. Similar progress is being made on the demand side, where electrification is spreading across the transport, heating and industrial sectors," Elia stated.

Because of that, the operator is facing "huge infrastructure investments", for which it wants more money. Elia is discussing an 80 per cent increase in grid tariffs for the period 2024-2027 with CREG.

Elia wants "fair return"

"The regulator must guarantee a fair return, which should make it possible to finance the timely implementation of investments in the grid," Elia stressed. According to a spokeswoman, the operator expects the dossier to make headway in the autumn.

In the first half of 2023 alone, Elia invested €299.8 million in the Belgian grid. The group reported €1.89 billion in revenue (-3.2 per cent) and a net profit of €162.5 million (+3.2 per cent).

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