According to the Belgian power transmission system operator Elia, renewable power generation from wind and solar in Belgium rose by 17% in 2019, thanks to a higher offshore wind production, a high solar power generation during summer months and a significant increase in wind power generation during winter months. In December 2019, wind and solar reached a record 16% in the power mix (around 14% in 2019).
Power supply in Belgium also improved due to a higher availability of nuclear power plants: nuclear power generation increased by 31% compared to 2018, when several reactors were unavailable. Overall, nuclear accounted for nearly 49% of the power mix in 2019, close to its 2017 level. Gas-fired power generation also slightly increased, as the 470 MW Seraing and 255 MW Vilvorde power plants were available again; the share of gas in the power mix rose from 24% in 2018 to 27% in 2019.
Consequently, Belgium, which was a net electricity importer in 2018 (net imports of over 17 TWh, i.e. 20% of the total power supply), reduced electricity imports and even became a net electricity exporter in 2019 (net exports of 1.8 TWh, i.e. around 2% of the power mix).
Interested in Power Plants?
Enerdata has developed a market research service to screen, monitor and analyse the development of power generation assets.
Power Plant Tracker offers an interactive database and a powerful search engine covering power plants worldwide – including both installed and planned capacities for renewables and fossil fuels.