Belgium24.eu - Energy

The Belgian presidency of Council of the European Union, more specifically for energy, gives Belgium the opportunity to chair meetings at every level in the Council and ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.

There is no such thing as a single energy policy in Belgium; institutional reforms in 1980 transferred powers from the federal state to the regions, including energy.

Distribution of powers between the State and the regions in matters of energy

The Special Act of 8 August 1980 divides powers as follows:

The federal state is responsible for the following matters:

• Security of supply
• Prospective studies on electricity and gas
• The nuclear fuel cycle
• The major infrastructure for the production, storage and transmission of energy
• The tariffs

The priorities for the Belgian presidency

In line with this division of competences, the AD Energy of the FPS Economy has developed the following priorities for the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU:

• Advancing sustainable energy infrastructure
• Delivering offshore energy to all
• Facilitating international hydrogen trade
• Driving Europe’s radioisotope excellence

In addition, the regional governments have prioritized boosting the renovation wave.

Energy-related priorities during the Belgian presidency >

From January 2024, Spain will pass on the torch to Belgium allowing us to preside over the Council of the European Union for six months. The Belgian Presidency will prioritise finalising legislative initiatives, facilitate the exchange of best practices, and lay the groundwork for the future EU energy agenda.

Belgium is committed to working actively and constructively to finalize the ongoing legislative agenda and its legal-technical completion.

Other energy related priorities for Belgium are:

• advancing sustainable energy infrastructure
• delivering offshore energy to all
• facilitating international hydrogen trade
• boosting the renovation wave
• driving Europe’s radioisotope excellence

We aim to keep up the momentum of the energy transition through our combined presidencies: EU, Benelux and Penta.

Advancing sustainable energy infrastructure

Transitioning to a sustainable energy system in a cost-efficient manner necessitates both existing and new infrastructures, including grid infrastructure, facilities for hydrogen import and CO₂ transport. This involves a particular emphasis on cross-border and cross-vector energy flows relying on a predictable and robust market design, as this has proven crucial in securing supplies. The Belgian Presidency will assess the current European framework's effectiveness in planning, building, and financing infrastructures.

Delivering offshore energy to all

Specific attention will be given to establishing and achieving offshore renewable energy targets and developing an integrated offshore grid. In this context, the Presidency will build on existing agreements and the conclusions of the North Sea Summit II and the recently published 'EU strategy on offshore renewable energy.' The European sea basins will become a building block of the future European energy network. The goal is to adopt Council conclusions on integrated cross-border onshore and offshore infrastructure benefitting the whole EU, including landlocked countries, sharing best practices among member states and identifying action points for future Commission initiatives.

Facilitating international hydrogen trade

The Belgian Presidency is committed to push the growing international trade in hydrogen, including its derivatives, and aspires to create a liquid market. To achieve this goal, the Presidency will focus on promoting a credible certification system and market platforms, ensuring transparency to trigger the needed investments; and make sure the financing tools are fit for purpose. Collaboration with the European Commission on the hydrogen bank and other EU initiatives, including a potential EU hydrogen import strategy, will be an integral part of these efforts.

Boosting the renovation wave

Moreover, recognising the substantial potential for emission reductions in the building sector, the Belgian Presidency will stimulate discussions on how to best address the remaining barriers in order to attain an effective roll-out of the renovation wave. It will organise a Renovation Week which will focus on sharing information on recent policies, exchanging best practices and studying new technologies and innovative policy instruments. Particular attention will be given to the transition and capacity of the construction sector, circularity of building materials, financing instruments and social and sociotechnical aspects of energy renovation.

Driving Europe’s radioisotope excellence

The Belgian Presidency is committed to securing the supply of medical radioisotopes and reinforcing European leadership in the production, development, and sustainable reimbursement of these materials. It will take forward the implementation of the European SAMIRA action plan and the European Commission's initiative to establish a ‘European radioisotope valley initiative (ERVI)’. To further this objective, a stakeholder meeting will be convened to address the security of radioisotope supply.

Events

Who’s who

Équipe présidence

• Nancy Mahieu - Director General
• Maarten Noeninckx - Head of Service
• Jana Caulier - Junior EU Coördinator
• Maria Aïvaliotis -  Legal expert EU Presidency
• Luna Vandesonneville - Administrative expert EU presidency

International Hydrogen Colloquium

• Yasmina Jarine - Senior Attaché EU Presidency
• Julius Bens - Economist EU Presidency

Workshop on Medical Radio-isotopes

• Bram Vanspauwen - Senior Attaché Nuclear
• Aylin Gezer -  Junior Attaché EU Presidency

Informal Energy Council on Energy Infrastructure

• Niels Smeets - Senior EU Coordinator
• Hasnae Mediouni - Junior Attaché EU Presidency

Offshore energy DG meeting

• Jan Hensmans - Senior Advisor External Relations
• Kim Pauwels - Junior Attaché EU Presidency