Flemish government allocates 218 million euros for renovation and renewables

The Flemish government is increasing the budget for renovation, insulation, heat pumps and renewable energy for 2022 and 2023 from 440 to 658 million euros, an increase of 218 million euros. This was announced on Monday by Flemish Minister of Energy Zuhal Demir. The aim is to help reduce the energy consumption of the Flemish people and thus also reduce the dependence on gas.

Of the 3 million homes in Flanders, barely 3.5 percent have an energy label A. To generalize that label by 2050, 100,000 homes a year must be thoroughly renovated.

The government is increasing support for renovations in 2022 and 2023. Middle-income families will be able to get up to 35 percent of their renovations reimbursed. Currently, this is 25 percent. For low-income families, that even goes to 50 percent. For middle-income families, the premium ceiling thus goes to 17,500 euros and for the lowest-income families to 25,000 euros. 

In addition, the premiums for heat pumps are going up. The premium for a hybrid heat pump goes up to 2,000 euros and that for an air-water heat pump to 3,000 euros. For low-income households the premium is even slightly higher. 

For people who do not have the means to immediately cough up or pre-finance a large renovation budget, there will be a 'My Renovation Loan' whereby families can borrow up to a maximum of 50,000 euros per housing unit with a maximum term of 25 years. 

Flanders is also raising its ambitions in the field of renewable energy. For wind energy, the government is raising the target from 108 MW per year to 150 MW in 2022 and 2023. For solar energy, the government is raising the ambition from 300 MW extra per year to 450 MW in this year and next year.