ENTSOG South-North Corridor GRIP 2017 - Main Report

4.2 The National Energy Policy Frameworks in the Context of Energy Transition

4.2.1 BELGIUM

Currently the federal government and the three Regions are developing within their competencies an Energy Vision/Energy Pact defining the legal framework for the energy transition. The Energy Pact is foreseen for 2017. The General Belgian Energy Policy & Priorities for 2017, as prepared by the Federal Public Services of Economy, lie in the preparation of the energy transition in Belgium (based on security of supply and the nuclear phase-out) and the finalisation of the energy pact. In its 2016 review for Belgium, IEA acknowledged Belgium’s recent progress in several areas of energy policy, but stressed the need for a national long-term energy strategy without delay, in order to respond to the challenge of decarbonising the economy while ensuring security of supply and affordability of energy. A major issue to be addressed is the country’s nuclear phase-out policy and its consistency with its objectives regarding electricity security and climate change mitigation. In November 2016, the Flanders region was the first Belgian entity to ratify the Paris Climate Agreement, shortly followed by the Walloon parliament. The Federal Minister of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Transition confirmed at the 22 nd UN climate conference in Marrakesh the ambition of a Belgian ratification of the Paris Agreement in the first half of 2017.

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South-North Corridor GRIP 2017