New rates 2025-2029: what will change
Brugel, the Brussels regulator, has approved Sibelga's 2025–2029 rate proposal. This proposal, the outcome of several consultations and close exchanges with Brugel, was approved by its Board of Directors on 26 November. The new rates will come into force on 1 January 2025.
Our rates are set for a period of 5 years. This enables us to meet current needs and anticipate market developments.
Significant changes will come into force for the period 2025–2029. These adjustments apply to both distribution rates and technical services.
This rate plan clearly reflects our ambition to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow while ensuring that everyone has access to reliable, high-quality energy that is adapted to the needs of a world in transition.
Changes to distribution rates
What do distribution rates represent?
In practical terms, an energy bill is broken down into several components: the costs related to the energy consumed, energy transmission and distribution, VAT and regional and federal taxes and surcharges.
Distribution rates account for around 19% of gas bills and 29% of electricity bills n Brussels (excluding Elia transmission rates) for the average consumption of a residential customer. These rates cover:
- network construction and operation;
- data management for customers and market players;
- Sibelga's public service obligations (such as managing protected customers and municipal street lighting);
- fees paid to local authorities for the use of their roads.
Adjusting for inflation
In 2019, we set the rates for the period 2020 to 2024, taking into account a projected annual rate of inflation of 2%.
However, we did not anticipate the increase in costs linked to the pandemic, which led to a cumulative inflation of 20%, well beyond the projected 10%.
To narrow this gap and reflect current actual costs, we have no choice but to revise our rates.
Investments linked to the energy transition
At the same time, these adjustments will make it possible support targeted investments to promote the electrification of mobility and the decarbonisation of heating, two crucial challenges for the energy transition.
They also include measures to support the gradual phase-out of fossil gas.
Impact on electricity bills
The expected impact for an average household consuming 2,104 kWh of electricity per year is around €2.21 per month for electricity distribution.
Added to this is an increase of €1.47 per month for Elia's transmission costs, which are passed on via Sibelga.
This adds up to a total impact of €44.28 per year (incl. VAT).
Estimate your electricity distribution costs
Impact on gas bills
For a household consuming 12,000 kWh of gas per year, the impact is €1.91 per month. This means a hike of €23 per year (incl. VAT).
Estimate your gas distribution costs.
Examples of changes in distribution costs
Electricity distribution costs (1)
| TYPE OF CUSTOMER |
ANNUAL CONSUMPTION |
KVA | PRICE 2024(2) |
PRICE 2025(2) |
INCREASE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household |
1,702 kWh (single-hour meter) |
9,2 | €192.64 | €217.53 | 13.1 % |
| Average household |
2,104 kWh (single-hour meter) |
9,2 | €228.76 | €255.34 | 11.6 % |
| Average household (regulators) |
3,500 kWh (dual-rate meter) |
9,2 | €311.30 | €342.16 | 9.9 % |
| Restaurant | 23,500 kWh (dual-rate meter) |
18 | €1831.47 | €1947.26 | 6.3 % |
| High-voltage customer |
661,250 kWh (dual-rate meter) |
220,7 | €17807.12 | €20413.18 | 14.6 % |
(1) These prices do not take into account Elia transmission rates or Public Service Obligation (PSO) rates.
(2) Price inclusive of 6% VAT for households, exclusive of VAT for businesses.
Gas distribution costs (1)
| TYPE OF CUSTOMER |
ANNUAL CONSUMPTION |
RATING | PRICE 2024(2) |
PRICE 2025(2) |
INCREASE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household |
7,845 kWh | G4/G6 | €153.95 | €173.48 | 12.7 % |
| Average household |
12,728 kWh | G4/G6 | €212.58 | €239.86 | 12.8 % |
| Average household (regulators) |
17,000 kWh | G4/G6 | €263.89 € | €297.93 | 12.9 % |
| Office building |
100,000 kWh | G16 | €1189.17 | €1345.55 | 13.2 % |
| SMEs | 650,000 kWh | G65 | €5082.40 | €5832.36 | 14.8 % |
(1) These prices do not take into account Public Service Obligation (PSO) rates.
(2) Price inclusive of 6% VAT for households, exclusive of VAT for businesses.
Changes in rates for technical services
As part of the energy transition, particularly with the roll-out of smart meters and the adaptation of infrastructure, rates for technical services are also set to change.
Average price increases of 10% to 15% are therefore anticipated for service and connection requests, to also reflect real costs linked to inflation.
A rate that encourages more responsible use of power
The average household in Brussels is generally supplied with 9.2 kVA of power. On the whole, this is sufficient to power everyday electrical appliances and to accommodate new energy uses.
To encourage users to reduce their consumption and moderate their power requirements, a new rate that includes a contribution to the development of the low-voltage network will be introduced.
This rate will be applied to requests to increase power supply or install a meter with a power rating of more than 9.2 kVA and that require the presence of a technician.