Share of renewable energy in final energy consumption

The share of renewable energy for Belgium increased by a factor of 6.3 between 2005 and 2023, reaching 14.7% in 2023 (see graph). This was mainly due to electricity and transport, for which the share of renewable energy sources increased by factors of 13 and 18, respectively, over the same period. This progress in relation to renewable electricity is linked to the development of the wind and photovoltaic sectors due to public support (green certificates) and lower costs. Renewable energy in transport is mainly consumed through bioethanol and biodiesel incorporated into fuels at the pump (10.4% in 2022).

The Belgian target for the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption is 21.7% for 2030. An average annual increase of about 1.4 times higher than the average annual increase observed from 2005 to 2023 will be required if Belgium is to meet this target.

Plans have been put in place to make progress, notably by stepping up the development of heat production (heat pumps, biomass, deep geothermal energy), wind power and photovoltaics and through addressing transport fuel composition. These plans are set out within the challenging context of, for example, institutional complexity, the low potential of inland production (topography, density, weather) and infrastructure that needs to be adapted.