Flanders: Subsidy (Premium)
Updated: 08.02.2019
Author: Stijn Anciaux
Grid operators and municipalities are responsible for setting up premium schemes to support heating and cooling from renewable energy. Therefore, the amount of premium attributed and eligible technologies differ among municipalities.
Eligible technologies
According to the Flemish Ministry of Budget, Finance and Energy and the Flemish Energy Agency (VEA), specific subsidies for renewable heat and cooling installations are in the competency of grid operators or municipalities. An overview of the premium opportunities for 2018 is published on the site of the Flemish ministry and can be individually searched via zip code via www.energiesparen.be. For more information please see: https://www.energiesparen.be/premies-via-uw-netbeheerder-in-2018 The premium is only eligible for residencies that were connected to the grid or for which the building application was already submitted no later than 31 December 2013. From 2017 onwards, premium schemes exist for solar thermal boilers and heat pumps. http://www.vlaanderen.be/nl/bouwen-wonen-en-energie/premies-van-de-netbeheerder
Concerning eligibility and the amount of premium, the Flemish regulation differentiates between protected and non-protected recipients. Protected recipients are citizens obtaining government benefits or special support (e.g. income replacement, integration allowance etc.) and thus, are eligible to obtain a social maximum price for electricity and gas (Art. 1.1.1 §2 7° Energy Regulation).
| Geothermal energy | Eligible if the installation is carried out by a registered contractor. Companies can file an application for registration to the competent provincial registration commission. Registration is granted on the basis of special examination and monitoring of the company’s technical competence and financial capacity. The address of the competent provincial registration commission can be retrieved from the site of the Federal Ministry of Finance. This premium is valid for installations constructed from 1 January 2012 onwards. Apartments connected to the distribution grid of the grid operator before 1 January 2006 are eligible too. The installation needs to be installed and billed only by registered contractors. It is not allowed to use heat pumps for active cooling or as swimming pool heating. |
|---|---|
| Solar thermal energy | If a solar thermal boiler is installed in an existing building and by a registered contractor (see geothermal energy), the grid operator offers a premium. This premium is valid for installations constructed from 1 January 2012 onwards. Buildings connected to the distribution grid of the grid operator before 1 January 2006 are eligible too. The installation needs to be installed and billed only by registered contractors (see geothermal energy). The premium is paid only if the solar thermal boiler is used for the production of sanitary hot water and or in combination with heating. |
| Aerothermal energy | Eligible if the installation is carried out by a registered contractor. Companies can file an application for registration to the competent provincial registration commission. Registration is granted on the basis of special examination and monitoring of the company’s technical competence and financial capacity. The address of the competent provincial registration commission can be retrieved from the site of the Federal Ministry of Finance. This premium is valid for installations constructed from 1 January 2012 onwards. Apartments connected to the distribution grid of the grid operator before 1 January 2006 are eligible too. The installation needs to be installed and billed only by registered contractors. It is not allowed to use heat pumps for active cooling or as swimming pool heating. |
| Hydrothermal energy | Eligible if the installation is carried out by a registered contractor. Companies can file an application for registration to the competent provincial registration commission. Registration is granted on the basis of special examination and monitoring of the company’s technical competence and financial capacity. The address of the competent provincial registration commission can be retrieved from the site of the Federal Ministry of Finance. This premium is valid for installations constructed from 1 January 2012 onwards. Apartments connected to the distribution grid of the grid operator before 1 January 2006 are eligible too. The installation needs to be installed and billed only by registered contractors. It is not allowed to use heat pumps for active cooling or as swimming pool heating. |
Amount
Heat pump (Art. 6.4.1/1/1. 2° Energy Regulation):
- Geothermal: A premium of € 4,000 is granted per residency for newly installed geothermal heat pumps.
- Hydrothermal: A premium of € 1,500 is granted per residency for newly installed air-water heat pumps.
- Aerothermal: A premium of € 300 is granted per residency for newly installed air-air heat pumps.
- Hybrid thermal: A premium of € 800 is granted per residency for newly installed hybrid air-water heat pumps.
Addressees
Installations within the Flemish Region
Procedure
Process flow | The application form can be downloaded from the homepage of each grid operator. The application form needs to be sent within 12 months after the bills have been issued. The premium is to be paid at latest 6 months after the application form has been received by the grid operator. The application form can be submitted online. For the same type of investment, a premium is paid only once during a period of 12 months. |
|---|---|
Competent authority | Grid operators and municipalities. |
Distribution of costs
| State | The competent municipalities cover the costs for municipal schemes. |
|---|---|
| Grid operator | The competent grid operator covers the costs for support schemes set up by grid operators. |
Belgium
