Power play: get the best deal from your energy provider

Perhaps 20 years ago, consumers wouldn’t have given a second thought to what kind of ‘energy mix’ made up the electricity that was lighting and heating their homes. As long as the lights were on, that was all that mattered. But with energy prices creeping up and up, an emerging contingent of green and financially savvy consumers are demanding to know where their energy is coming from and if they’re getting the best value for money.  

The questions are all the more pertinent in Belgium, as only since 2007, when the electricity market was deregulated, have residential consumers been able to choose who they buy their electricity from. So what factors should be taken into account before signing on the dotted line?

 
Main players

 
The Belgian energy market, like most of Europe, tends to be monopolised by a few key providers. Electrabel is the largest of these – and the one expats typically tend to flock to, despite it being slightly more expensive than others. SPE-Luminus is the second largest player, followed by companies such as Nuon, Wattplus and Ecopower.

Green credentials

While more than half of Belgium’s electricity supply still comes from – mainly French – nuclear power, the share of renewables is creeping up year by year and could seize almost a quarter of the market by 2020 because of EU law. Many companies are jumping on the renewables bandwagon and providing consumers with more green energy than ever before. Electrabel touts itself as the chief salesman of green energy in Belgium. According to the company, Belgian wind, water and biomass power stations currently generate enough electricity for 600,000 of their households. SPE-Luminus claims to be leading in onshore wind energy here and says 8.3 percent of its energy is generated from green sources. Meanwhile, 50 percent of the energy produced by Nuon comes from renewable sources. Several providers, including Electrabel and Nuon, now offer customers the option to buy 100 percent green electricity packages.

 
Value for money

Any European paying energy bills these days will notice how much of a hit their bank balance has taken in recent years. This is particularly evident in Belgium, where electricity prices remain above the European average. Scouting out the best deal of the moment is quite a task and requires a fair amount of tenacity, as so many packages are available. And since the energy market was liberalised, retail prices have become harder to monitor, largely because the cost of energy itself, as well as distribution and transport costs, are constantly changing. Prices do, however, tend not to vary too radically between providers, though Electrabel is generally more expensive than other providers. If your objective is to go completely green and you fancy a potential investment opportunity, you could think about wildcard provider Ecopower. The cooperative relies on stakeholder shares to produce its green electricity, which can even come from vegetable oil. At the end of last year, 1 percent of Flemish households were supplied by this company.
 

Customer service

All the main providers have patchy records of customer service in one way or another, particularly when it comes to talking to an English-speaking operator. Though most providers have English-speakers available, be prepared to wait in line to get through to them. It’s certainly an advantage being a French-speaker, or knowing someone who is, when it comes to dealing with phone operators.

 
The right choice for you

With so many variables, such as fluctuating fossil fuel prices, consumers may want to think about opting for a fixed-term gas or electricity rate. Electrabel offers a three-year fixed energy price tariff in Brussels, which will freeze prices at a certain level. It’s also worth asking providers whether they can offer tailored solutions to help minimise energy consumption, which could save you up to 30 percent off your normal energy bill. Make sure you know whether you’re signing on for a monthly, quarterly or biannual agreement; you could find there are cheaper arrangements for longer-term deals. Many customers are still unclear when their bill is actually due, even after they’ve signed on the dotted line.

Switching

Most companies will allow you to switch providers, however long you have been with them. Usually, the company responsible for meter reading sends you a letter asking you to provide your own meter readings by mail, phone or internet before leaving so your energy bill can be settled even after you’ve left. If you experience problems you can always log a complaint with the Economy, SMEs, Self-Employed and Energy division of Belgium’s Federal Public Service.