According to data released by the Belgian energy regulator CREG, power generation from central units (i.e. excluding local power plants, such as solar panels or CHP) declined by 4.3% in 2014, following the downward trend observed since 2010 (-2.9%/year), and reached 77 TWh. Nuclear power generation fell by 21%, with Doel-3 and Tihange-2 being unavailable since March 2014 and Doel-4 from August to late December 2014. Gas-fired power generation continued to decrease (-8.1%), reaching 65% of 2010 level, while coal-fired generation, which has been reducing since 2007 dipped again (-27%). Wind power generation (on the transmission network only, not including decentralised wind generation) rose by more than 40%. Wholesale electricity prices on short term markets in Belgium fell in 2014: the average day-ahead price decreased by 14% to €40.8/MWh, while the year-ahead average price (long-term market) increased by 7.5% to €46.9/MWh.
Where gas is concerned, net gas flows decreased by 12.5% (160 TWh). Domestic gas consumption declined due to a mild winter, weak industrial consumption and gas-fired power generation. Gas volumes imported at the Zeebrugge LNG terminal continued to drop in 2014 (since 2011). On the wholesale market, the average day-ahead price decreased from €27.1/MWh to €20.9/MWh.
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