Belgium has decided to opt for a rapid opening of its electricity market, choosing not to use the one-year extension of the implementation period allowed under the Directive to enable it to take into account its specific institutional structure. Indeed, as a result of the federalisation of Belgium, the regional aspects of energy policy (such as local transport and distribution on low voltage electricity grids and rational use of energy sources) are within the jurisdiction of the Regions. However, the federal government retains jurisdiction over matters which require national implementation for technical and economic reasons. It appears that this institutional aspect has not prevented Belgium from implementing an ambitious White Paper.

Florence Melchior
Freshfields Deringer
Brussels