Since 2020, a capacity component has been integrated into our low-voltage electricity, and included in the distribution rates, i.e. on the part of the invoice relating to the costs of using the Sibelga network.
This annual, fixed-rate capacity term applies to all residential and professional customers whose meters are read once a year. It depends on the technical characteristics of the connection and is completely independent of the metering and consumption data invoiced.
The aim of including this capacity term in the invoice is to ensure costs are shared more equally between users, and to prepare the market for the energy transition - a transition in which Sibelga, as the gas and electricity distribution system operator in Brussels, has an important role to play.
Why do we need a capacity component in Brussels?
The use of the electricity distribution networks is changing. Some customers are producing electricity locally and re-injecting part of their production into the network, while others are installing heat pumps or charging points for their electric cars. The energy transition is underway!
Providing you with a reliable network while meeting these new needs requires more investment, and involves considerable maintenance and operational costs. With the capacity component, these costs will be passed on more equally to all users across the electricity network, in line with their usage and the electrical power they need.
You can take steps to limit the impact of this on your invoice, while contributing to the energy transition in a responsible manner – find out how!
What does the capacity component mean?
The capacity component is based on the power provided to you.
In practice, on your invoice:
- Part of the distribution costs (since 01.01.2020) have been invoiced based on the power of the connection provided to you (in kVA) at the meter. These are no longer calculated based on the kilowatt hours consumed (kWh), as was the case before.
- The remaining components of the distribution costs are still in proportion with your actual consumption, except the term relating to the measuring and metering activities, which is also fixed.
Two different rates according to the power provided
The capacity component, based on the contractual power, involves two rates:
- Is your connection LESS than 13 kVA?
You'll pay €27.38/year (excl. VAT – 2024 rate) - Is your connection MORE than 13 kVA?
You'll pay €54.76/year (excl. VAT – 2024 rate)
Who determines the power available at my meter?
The power provided by Sibelga, known as the contractual power, corresponds to the level formally requested by the customer/developer when the house, apartment block or building is connected to the distribution network.
This contractual power is therefore fixed in line with the electricity requirements expressed by the applicant – a customer who produces some of their own electricity or who has a charging point for their electric car won't have the same requirements in terms of power as another customer – and is reflected in practice in the technical characteristics of their connection – supply type (230 V – 400 V), protection type (fuse – circuit breaker) and the meter rating. .
In general, for a standard building, a contractual/provided power of 9.2 kVA is sufficient. For a single-phase, 230-volt connection, this corresponds to a meter with a circuit breaker protective device of 40 amps. The customer will therefore be able to run several devices at the same time, up to a limit of 9 kilowatts (kW). Beyond that level, the customer runs the risk of triggering the protection device upstream of the meter (more commonly known as "blowing the fuse").
As a result, Sibelga doesn't unilaterally determine what level of power is provided to the customer.
How can I limit the impact of the capacity term on my invoice?
By avoiding having to request an increase in your connection!
- By being smarter with your electricity consumption.
- If you have solar panels: consume the electricity that you generate yourself when it is produced.
- If you have an electric vehicle: charge your vehicle at night and spread your electricity demand outside the peak times.
- for more advice, head to energuide.be/en.
- By reducing your electricity consumption to avoid installing unnecessary power.
- By installing 'smart' equipment, able to run when demand on the network is low or automatically adapt when the networks are almost saturated, while ensuring you still receive the desired service.
- By asking Sibelga to close down your meter for free if you don't use electricity.
How do I know if my connection (> 13 kVA) is too high?
Ask your electrician to measure the current at your meter while running as many devices as possible that could potentially all be in use at the same time.
If your connection is too high, you can ask for it to be reduced to less than 13 kVA, which will help you save money.