Electricity bill could become 82 euros more expensive in 2025: “Completely unacceptable” | Money
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The electricity bill of a Flemish family could increase by an average of 82 euros in 2025 due to higher grid rates for electricity. For natural gas, there would be a decrease in the network tariff by an average of 21 euros. These are proposals from the VREG in the context of the so-called tariff methodology 2025-2028. The Flemish energy regulator will start the public consultation for those rates today/Thursday. Flemish Minister for Energy Zuhal Demir (N-VA) reacts furiously.
The tariff methodology determines which costs the grid operators are willing and able to charge in the electricity and gas invoice over the next 4 years. The VREG itself indicates that their proposal would lead to an increase in electricity bills for both families and companies. “With a view to the energy transition, grid operators must invest billions in the electricity grid in the coming years. This translates into higher grid rates for electricity,” explains the VREG.
82 euros more expensive
“We expect an average increase of 82 euros (23 percent) for a family in 2025 compared to 2024. For companies connected to the medium-voltage grid, the estimated increase is greater (41 percent),” it said. “The network rates for natural gas are decreasing slightly. According to current proposals, a family will pay an average of 21 euros (9 percent) less in 2025 than today.” By 2028, more than 100 euros would be added to the electricity bill.
“Financial space needed for investments”
“Fluvius stands for major investments in the electricity grid to make the energy transition possible,” explains VREG CEO Pieterjan Renier. “The VREG wants to contribute to this with its renewed tariff regulation. Fluvius must have the necessary financial space to make these investments in a timely manner. This will lead to higher network rates in the coming years. We are aware that energy is an important expenditure item for households and businesses, so we are careful to keep that increase to a minimum.”
Such an increase in the electricity bill is completely unacceptable and is at odds with the decline in the Flemish policy component in recent years.
Flemish Minister for Energy Zuhal Demir (N-VA)
Demir: “This is at odds with what Flanders does”
Flemish Minister for Energy Zuhal Demir (N-VA) reacts angrily to this. “Such an increase in the electricity bill is completely unacceptable and is at odds with the decline in the Flemish policy component in recent years,” said Minister Demir. “I expect everyone involved to take the social impact of their decisions into account. If the new proposals lead to a higher electricity bill, this will also complicate the energy and climate transition.”
She continues: “I ask that proposals be made that are socially responsible, that facilitate the transition and that do not saddle the Flemish with higher bills. More than ever, it also proves the need for Flanders to join Fluvius, where local authorities, as the only shareholders, are currently thinking more about dividends than about the energy transition.”
ANALYSIS. If the electricity price remains this low, it will cost taxpayers almost 1.5 billion euros (+)
163 euros difference with last month: this is what the fixed energy rates look like in March
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