Green energy production in Belgium

At the heart of Europe, Belgium is resolutely positioning itself towards a greener future. Faced with environmental challenges and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the country has actively engaged in renewable energy production, as well as national initiatives to promote clean energy. Through a combination of policy, regulation and investment in green technologies and infrastructure, Belgium is making its energy transition.

A range of renewable energy

Belgium has undertaken an ambitious strategy to diversify its renewable energy sources to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and promote a more sustainable energy system. These include energies such as: wind energy, solar energy, biomass and other green energy sources such as hydroelectricity, geothermal energy and marine energies.
By combining these different sources of renewable energy, Belgium aspires to build a resilient energy system while contributing to the global fight against climate change. In 2022, wind and solar power will account for around 20% of the country's total electricity production. Cumulative wind and solar production reached approximately 15.2 Terawatt hours in 2021 and has continued to increase.

Belgian progress towards renewable energy

Belgium has made significant progress in the production of renewable energy by diversifying its energy sources. It has invested massively in 2023 in wind energy on land and in the North Sea in particular. North Sea wind farms, in particular, have become truly important pillars of the country's green energy production. These offshore wind farms benefit from the constant high winds of the North Sea, making them a reliable and constant source of energy. The country aims to increase its production capacity by installing other wind farms in the North Sea. Belgium has also deployed solar installations, both on roofs and on land or urban structures. Belgium's solar potential is not yet very high like in other countries, but technological advances are helping enough to boost the adoption of solar energy. With a continued decline in the costs of photovoltaic panels, more and more Belgian homes and businesses are adopting this technology. As for biomass, Belgium uses it as a source of renewable energy by recovering organic waste and agricultural by-products for the production of biogas, biofuels and heat.
The Belgian government has dedicated significant funds to support research and development projects in renewable energies. In addition, it invests in modernizing existing energy infrastructure to make it more compatible with new sources of green energy.
In 2023, green energy sources will represent around 18% of total energy consumption. Belgium positions itself as a key player in building a sustainable energy future. By diversifying its energy mix, the latter reaps numerous economic benefits from its commitment to renewable energy, which supports economic growth and environmental sustainability. However, what are the major obstacles to this energy transition in Belgium and how can they be overcome?