Energy consumption in Belgium dropped last year to its lowest level since 1995. This is according to the most recent Federal Government Agency Economy data. In the aftermath of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, high energy prices meant that Belgians consumed less energy than in the corona year 2020.

The share of renewable energy in Belgium’s energy consumption was 13,4% last year. This puts Belgium above the European target for renewable energy of at least 13%.

Less consumption due to high prices

Final Belgian energy consumption in 2022 amounted to 37 megatons of oil equivalent (Mtoe). That is 9% less than in 2021 and thus the lowest consumption since 1995.

Final energy consumption refers to the total energy consumption of all end users: so consumption by families and companies, but also, for example, the oil used by the Belgian industry to produce plastics.

This decrease is a result of the war in Ukraine. As energy prices rose to record levels – natural gas was 102% more expensive for an average Belgian household compared to 2021, electricity 39,2% – homes and businesses started to save massively, especially in their natural gas consumption. Almost 19% less natural gas was used. But the use of petroleum products also fell clearly, -6,6%.

Still import from Russia

The figures from the FPS economy also confirm that Belgium still consumes natural gas from Russia. This is done in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Russian LNG imported via Zeebrugge accounted for 3% of Belgian natural gas consumption. That is less than in recent years (7% in 2021, for example).

Up to 22,1% of crude oil was also still imported from Russia, although previously, this share was consistently above 30% (a complete ban on crude oil from Russia is imminent).

Petroleum products remain the most dominant energy source, with a 47% share of Belgian consumption, followed by natural gas (24,6%). Electricity accounted for 18% of Belgian consumption in 2022.

For the rest, 2,7 million m³ of gasoline and 9,2 million of diesel m³ were also sold as motor fuels, most of which were in Flanders in each case.

Renewable energy targets met

The share of renewable energy in the final energy consumption was 13,4% last year. This puts Belgium above the European target for renewable energy of at least 13%. This also means there is no need to rely on purchasing quantities of energy from renewable sources from other member states to achieve the baseline.

The share of renewable energy in final energy consumption in transport, mainly from bladed biofuels in motor fuels (gasoline and diesel) and from renewable electricity mainly used in rail transport, was 10,23% last year. The target is 14% by 2030.

The primary source of renewable energy in Belgium is wind energy. The offshore wind farms alone generated enough power in 2022 to supply electricity (6,7 TWh) to 1,9 million households, or approximately 37% of Belgian households. However, despite many additional wind turbines, energy production via wind turnover did not increase in 2022 due to exceptionally low wind speeds.

Higher energy prices again?

According to Fatih Birol, the top executive of the International Energy Agency (IEA), another increase in energy prices next winter cannot be ruled out. Governments might then have to step in again to ease energy bills.

“In a scenario where the Chinese economy performs very strongly, and China buys a lot of energy on the markets, and there is a harsh winter, then we could have strong upward pressure on natural gas prices,” Birol said. The IEA chief calls on governments to bet on renewable energy and call for energy saving.