One in five homes changed energy supplier last year

A "particularly high" number of consumers are taking advantage of competition in the energy market and switching their gas and electricity suppliers, according to a new report by Belgium's four energy regulators.

In Flanders and Wallonia, almost one in five households changed supplier in 2017. In Brussels the figure was 11%, which was down slightly on the previous year.

According to the report, Belgium has more than 30 companies competing in the electricity and gas markets - although only about 20 of them are active in Brussels.

The market leader remains Electrabel/Engie with a 42% share of the electricity market and 31% gas. The main rivals are EDF Luminus, Axpo, Eni and Lampiris.

According to the regulators' study, the price of electricity for households in Belgium grew by on average 6% last year. Gas prices rose by 4% over the same period.

The majority of Belgium's renewable energy (58%) comes from hydraulic installations. Biomass (19%) now produces more than wind (14%). And, this being Belgium, solar accounts for just 2% of renewable energy.