Then come surcharges, imposed by the federal level and by the regions. We are talking here regarding taxes imposed by the authorities. Jumbled up, we find the contribution on energy, excise duties on electricity and natural gas, the charge for connection to the electricity network and the gas network in Wallonia, an “energy fund” contribution in Flanders, a surcharge for the public service missions imposed on suppliers in Brussels, costs for green electricity and cogeneration, etc.
Broadly speaking, at the federal level, these are various contributions intended to finance social measures or the denuclearization of certain sites (in Mol-Dessel) or to ensure the financing of the federal regulator, the CREG.
At the regional level, the surcharges are, for example, charges for connection, road use or occupation of the public domain. This also serves to compensate for the loss of revenue for municipalities since the liberalization of the electricity and gas markets.
The share of these surcharges in total gas or electricity bills varies from region to region. Thus, for electricity, the share of surcharges claimed from customers is 16% in Wallonia, 14% in Brussels and 16% in Flanders. For gas, this share is 6% in Wallonia, 3% in Brussels and 2% in Flanders.
An in-depth examination of these surcharges might be beneficial and allow a reduction in the bill for customers if any excess profits were highlighted.
