Conversion of 500,000 brussels households to rich gas: let's go!
Conversion of 500,000 brussels households to rich gas: let's go!
Brussels, 1 September 2020 - This Tuesday, a press conference will mark the start of the conversion from lean gas to rich gas in the municipalities of Koekelberg, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean.
FIRST SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION WAVE
On Tuesday 1 September, almost 51,000 customers from the municipalities of Koekelberg, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean were successfully converted to rich gas. This is a transition to another type of natural gas, allowing all users to converge their energy supply in the Brussels-Capital Region.
Which municipalities will be next?
On the basis of a timetable agreed at federal level, the Brussels-Capital Region has been divided into three zones which will be successively converted to rich gas between now and 2022:
2020: Koekelberg, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Molenbeek-Saint-Jean;
2022: Forest, Uccle, Ixelles, Etterbeek, Auderghem, Watermael-Boitsfort, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre and Woluwe-Saint-Lambert.
Sibelga accompanies the people of brussels in their endeavours
Every inhabitant of Brussels will receive, at the latest 24 months before the date of conversion of their municipality, a communication from Sibelga inviting them to have the accounts of their gas appliances checked. Thereafter, a reminder will be sent to each citizen three to four months before the deadline. This support allows users to prepare for the conversion by ensuring that all necessary actions have been taken.
Why this change?
The Brussels-Capital Region is currently supplied with lean gas from the north of the Netherlands. As a result of the decline in its gas reserves, the Dutch government has decided to gradually reduce exports of lean gas from 2024 onwards, until exports are permanently halted by 2030.
ARE ALL APPLIANCES COMPATIBLE WITH RICH GAS?
98% of the units are ready for conversion to rich gas with or without pre and/or post conversion adjustments. Indeed, the appliances sold in Belgium since 1978 are adapted to both types of gas (lean and rich). The difference between these two gases lies in their calorific value: for the same amount of gas burned, lean gas generates less heat than rich gas.
Appliances installed before 1978 or purchased abroad are not compatible with rich gas and will have to be replaced.
For more information on the replacement premiums for boilers purchased before 2000, go to prime.gas.be
HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST THE CONSUMER AND WHAT STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN?
Good news: the conversion of the distribution network by Sibelga will not generate any surcharges or specific levies on gas tariffs.
What to do as a consumer? Have the compatibility of appliances checked as part of the mandatory periodic inspection of boilers and water heaters. Coupled with the periodic inspection, the verification by an authorized technician should not generate any additional costs for the user.
A regional bonus is available to help vulnerable households to carry out the periodic inspection. This premium is in addition to the other "energy" premiums offered by Bruxelles Environnement.
WHY IS THIS AUDIT NECESSARY?
An appliance that is not compatible with or not properly adjusted to rich gas will not operate optimally. It could therefore consume more gas, deteriorat
