In our country, over 3 million households and businesses consume natural gas from the distribution network, mainly for heating, hot water, and cooking.
In 2017, half of these users consumed lean gas, imported from the north of the Netherlands (Slochteren, Groningen).
This is no longer the case: as of September 2024, all of Belgium is now supplied with rich gas.
Why Switch from Lean to Rich Gas?
Gas reserves in the Groningen field were dwindling, causing ground movements in the region. As a result, the Dutch authorities decided to reduce their gas exports and stop them completely by 2030 at the latest.
Belgium therefore had to plan in order to replace its supply of lean gas with another type of gas ‒ rich gas ‒, sourced from other countries such as Norway, the United Kingdom or Qatar, for example.
In other words, the transmission and distribution networks had to be adapted to enable Belgian households and businesses consuming lean gas to be supplied with rich gas instead.
A major plan for the gradual conversion of the affected regions was therefore put in place from 2018. The shift from lean to rich gas was initially scheduled to run until 2029, but thanks to optimised work planning, the final conversions took place in September 2024.
Who Was Affected by the Conversion from Lean Gas to Rich Gas?
the transition from lean to rich gas.
The conversion campaign, launched in 2017, affected 1.6 million private and industrial customers across several regions in Belgium:
- Brussels,
- Province of Antwerp,
- Province of Limburg (western part),
- Province of Flemish Brabant,
- Parts of the Province of Walloon Brabant,
- Parts of the Province of Liège (Hannut and Waremme),
- Parts of the Province of Hainaut
- Parts of the Province of Namur.
See the areas affected (in blue) by the transition from lean to rich gas.
What Are the Impacts of Switching from Lean Gas to Rich Gas?
As the composition of rich gas is different from that of lean gas, this change has an impact on:
- The infrastructure used to transport gas across our country,
- The gas distribution network,
- Gas appliances, which need to be inspected and adjusted if necessary.
The conversion does not affect your gas bill. You pay per unit of energy (kWh) consumed. While the calculation on your bill now looks different, you will continue to pay the same amount for the same energy used.
What About your Appliances?
For private customers, natural gas appliances are most often:
- Boilers
- Small and large water heaters
- Cookers and cooking hobs
- Stoves
- Convection heaters
- Decorative fireplaces
The conversion to rich gas did not affect appliances running on bottled gas (propane or butane), or vehicles running on gas (LPG, CNG).
All consumers who used natural gas in the affected municipalities were notified by their distribution network operator and/or supplier before the actual conversion was carried out in their municipality. They were invited to have all their natural gas appliances inspected and, if necessary, adjusted by an authorised technician. This ensured that their appliances would continue to operate correctly and safely on rich gas.
If you were affected by the switch to rich gas and have not yet had this inspection carried out by an authorised technician, we advise you to do so without delay. Please note that this inspection is your responsibility.
Why is the Inspection of your Gas Appliances Essential?
Failing to have your appliances inspected could pose a risk after the conversion. Indeed, your appliance may not run at optimum efficiency, for example because it produces more carbon monoxide, consumes more gas or wears out faster.
A poorly functioning gas appliance costs more, is harmful for the environment and might endanger your health in some circumstances. Remember that in most cases, rooms containing a gas appliance must have sufficient ventilation and must comply with the various related safety standards.
Some gas appliances are not compatible with rich gas.
- Gas appliances produced from 1978 onwards
are generally compatible with rich gas. However, some may require adjustments to run properly and safely. - Gas appliances produced before 1978
will generally not be compatible, and will likely have to be replaced. - Gas appliances purchased in other countries
likely do not meet Belgian legal standards. They must either be replaced or adapted to comply with Belgian legislation if technically possible, provided the age of the appliance still enables this, and the operational safety can be guaranteed. Only the manufacturer can provide professional advice on this.
Inspection of your gas appliances must be carried out by an authorised technician, which means someone qualified to do so. There are three types of authorised technicians:
- A GI or GII-certified technician: qualified by your region to carry out the compulsory periodic inspection of boilers;
- Technicians from your appliance's manufacturer;
- Technicians from the official distributor designated by the manufacturer of your appliance brand.
If you haven't already done so, it's essential to have all your gas appliances inspected by an authorised technician. They will also be able to check that all the requirements have been met in order to ensure your safety.
Ask your technician for a visit report indicating which of your appliances have been inspected and which adaptations have been made. This will provide you with documentary evidence of the technician's visit and any work carried out. This document is for your use only, and you must not pass it on to any authority.
