Wallonia: Subsidy (Subventions UREBA)

Updated: 08.02.2019

Author: Stijn Anciaux

Within the bounds of its available budget, the Walloon region provides UREBA subsidies, which aim at supporting public bodies such as towns and provinces in their initiatives to reduce the energy consumption of their buildings. Projects using renewable energy sources are subsidised.

Eligible technologies

The material as well as the installation of renewable energy plants for the production of heat for the exclusive use of the building are eligible (Annexe 5 §1, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013). The minimum investment costs shall amount to at least € 2,500 (Art. 4 §2, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013). Moreover, the producer of heat from renewable energy installations engages to keep the administration informed of the energy consumption of the concerned building during 10 years (Art. 8 §3, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).

Geothermal energy

Eligible under the condition that the heat pump does not produce cooling (Annex 5, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).

Solar thermal energy

Eligible under several conditions, including (Annex 5, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013):

  • installations shall meet the requirements of the European standards
  • the installation of the solar thermal device shall be performed by a registered installer 
  • the installation is equipped with a monitoring system allowing the calculation of its annual energetic performance 

Biomass

Heat production through biomass heating plants as well through biomass CHP plants is eligible. The CHP plant shall allow a CO2 saving of at least 10 % in comparison with conventional electricity production installations (Annex 5, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013. Percentage according to the Walloon Department of Energy and Sustainable Building).

Water heaters are also eligible, under the condition that their thermal performance is at least of 85% according to the standard NBN EN 303-5 (Annex 5, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).

Biogas

Eligible, under the condition that the CHP plant allows a CO2 saving of at least 10 % in comparison with conventional electricity production installations (Annex 5, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013. Percentage according to the Walloon Department of Energy and Sustainable Building).

Aerothermal energy

Eligible under the condition that the heat pump does not produce cooling (Annex 5, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).

Amount

The subsidy amounts to 30 % of the investment costs (inc. VAT). However, in case the investments are subject to other support schemes accounting for over 40 % of the eligible amount of the UREBA subsidies, then the percentage is based on the share of investments which is not covered by the other subsidies. (Art. 4 §1, Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).

Addressees

The entitled bodies are legal persons governed by public law as well as non-commercial bodies such as schools, hospitals, swimming pools etc. (Art. 2 Arrêté du 28 mars 2013)

Procedure

Process flow

  • The applicant first submits his application form along with the required documents (Art. 7 Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).
  • The administration notifies the applicant of the rejection of subsidy within 6 months after having acknowledged the application as complete (Art. 8 Arrêté du 28 mars 2013). No deadline is indicated regarding by when the administration has to send a notification of acceptation of subsidy.
  • The installation has to be completed within 3 years after the notification of the acceptation of subsidy (Art. 10 Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).
  • In order to receive the amount of the subsidy, the applicant shall send his payment request within 1 year following the installation of the renewable energy plant (Art. 10 Arrêté du 28 mars 2013).

Competent authority

Public Service of Wallonia - Department of Energy and Sustainable Building (DG04).

Distribution of costs

State

The UREBA subsidies are directly financed by the budget of the Walloon region.

Belgium
Electricity
Heating & Cooling
Transport

Further information

  • Service Public de Wallonie (SPW) Direction Générale opérationnelle de l'Energie (DGO4) – Public Service of the Walloon region – Directorate General for Energy (DG04)
  • + 32 81 48 63 11
  • SPW website

Basic information on legal sources