Belgium

Global green bonds issuance is set to grow by around 60% to $250 billion (£181bn) this year. That would far exceed the record $155 billion (£112bn) of green bonds issued last year, according to the latest assessment from Moody’s Investors Services. The sectors that have traditionally played a large role in this market such as […]

The European Commission has approved six schemes for backup electricity to ensure security of supply. It said the power capacity mechanisms in Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland comply with the rules aimed at preserving competition in the single market. The schemes in Belgium and Germany are for strategic reserves, which keep certain generation […]

  A hydrogen-powered passenger ferry has been successfully registered as a seagoing vessel and will now begin commercial operations in Belgium. Cie. Maritime Belge’s (CMB) Hydroville ship, which can be run on compressed hydrogen as well as regular diesel fuel, will be used to transport people from Kruibeke to Antwerp during rush hour. This is […]

Centrica has bought a European technology company that provides services to help balance fluctuations on the power grid for €70 million (£62m). Belgium-based REstore manages 1.7GW of power demand from a portfolio of 150 industrial and commercial (I&C) customers across Belgium, France, Germany and the UK. It pays some of the largest energy users in […]

The first UK part of the subsea interconnector linking it to Belgium is being installed. Nemo Link, the joint venture between Elia and National Grid, has started laying the first 59km of double subsea cable between the UK onshore landing point and the offshore section. The 140-kilometre Nemo cable will provide enough capacity to power […]

The European Commission has approved Belgium’s plans to provide state aid for three nuclear power reactors. In 2014 and 2015, the nation signed two agreements with ENGIE Electrabel and EDF to extend the operational lifetime of the reactors Doel 1, Doel 2 and Tihange. Under the agreements, the companies committed to invest around €1.3 billion […]

Belgium has invested in Europe’s largest ever electric-hybrid bus fleet. The cities of Charleroi and Namur have ordered a total of 90 Volvo 7900 buses as well as 12 charging stations. The buses use 60% less energy and produce up to 90% less greenhouse gas emissions than regular diesel models. The recharging cycle only takes three to four minutes. Public […]

Belgium is receiving €438 million (£363.5m) to support the construction of an offshore wind farm. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing the money which will be used to develop the €1.1 billion (£0.91bn) Norther wind farm, off the Belgium coast. It will consist of 44 turbines which will have an estimated capacity of 352MW […]

The UK’s power supply this winter is likely to be tight but manageable. Although it will be impacted by poor generation and supply in France, the UK has enough energy reserves to make it through a cold winter, according to ENTSO-E’s analysis of security of supply risks in Europe. France is facing the lowest nuclear generation it has seen in a decade, […]

French oil and gas giant Total is to buy the third largest supplier of gas and renewable power in Belgium. Lampiris provides energy as well as services such as insulation, wood and pellets for heating and smart thermostats to the residential sector. It currently supplies more than a million accounts. The two companies have agreed […]