Energy prices: reform of the energy bill approved at first reading

It concerns the changeover from a temporary 6% VAT regime on natural gas and electricity to a definitive regime through a so-called intelligent reform of excise duties on the same products, in order to take better account of price trends. The calculation of the excise rate will be made on the basis of the average prices of 2021.

Additionally, a “foundation pack“of electricity and natural gas with reduced excise duties will be created. This first tranche will amount to 3 MWh for electricity and 12 MWh for natural gas. “VAT profit” which would arise from fluctuations in market prices. During the debate, the minister refuted the allegations of the opposition, believing that the bills would increase on April 1 next. The PTB announced in a press release the launch of a petition online once morest this reform. For its part, the N-VA once more insisted on the budgetary impact of the measure and denounced, in its view, a “lack of transparency” on this subject.