Energy Sharing in Belgium: Complete Guide 2025 CER Wallonie

What is Energy Sharing in Belgium? Energy sharing represents a revolution in the way we consume electricity in Belgium. Since the decree of 5 May 2022 in Wallonia, it is now possible to share the renewable electricity produced by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of a building with all the residents who want it. This innovation radically transforms the traditional energy model: instead of injecting your surplus solar production into the grid at a derisory price, you can share it directly with your neighbours, co-owners or tenants in the same building. The result? Better value for your photovoltaic production and lower electricity bills for everyone involved. 💡 Recommended product: Solar kits installed in Belgium Turnkey photovoltaic solutions tailored to energy sharing Legal framework: Decree of 5 May 2022 and Evolutions 2025. The Walloon regulatory framework for energy sharing is based on the Decree of 5 May 2022, supplemented by the Government Decree of 17 March 2023 on energy communities and energy sharing. This legislation sets out precisely how Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are to be implemented. "Electricity sharing makes it possible to make better use of the surplus electricity produced while reducing participants' electricity bills, guaranteeing a stable price that is independent of market fluctuations." - Energy Community Facilitator, SPW Wallonie ⚠️ Important: The Walloon legal framework is currently being adapted to further facilitate the implementation of energy sharing in the Walloon region. As soon as the new texts are promulgated, certain procedures will be modified. A new Facilitator has been appointed to support project developers. Services of the Energy Community Facilitator The Energy Community Facilitator set up by SPW Wallonia now offers : Detailed information documents on electricity sharing Personalised e-mail support for your projects Coming soon: various online help tools A redirection service for your customers and tenants Contact: facilitateur.communaute.energie@spw.wallonie.be How does electricity sharing work in a building? Electricity sharing is made possible by smart meters. These intelligent devices measure the flow of electricity in and out of a building every 15 minutes. The Distribution System Operator (DSO) then allocates, for each quarter of an hour, the injection volumes to consumers when they consume, according to a predefined distribution key. Comparison: Without vs. With Energy Sharing SANS Partage d'Électricité AVEC Partage d'Électricité Production photovoltaïque sur le toit Autoconsommation instantanée limitée (souvent faible en copropriété) Prélèvement réseau pour besoins résiduels Injection sur le réseau à petit prix Production photovoltaïque sur le toit Autoconsommation instantanée (compteur communs) Prélèvement réseau pour besoins résiduels des communs Partage vers compteurs individuels des habitants Prélèvement réseau pour besoins résiduels individuels Injection réseau uniquement du surplus non partagé In a traditional condominium without energy sharing, self-consumption is often less than 30% of production. With energy sharing, this rate can rise to 70-80%, multiplying the profitability of your photovoltaic installation. 🔧 RECOMMENDED SOLUTION Photovoltaic kits with hybrid inverters and storage ⚡ DISCOVER INVERTER & BATTERY PACKS The 4 Major Advantages of Energy Sharing 1. Better Value of Photovoltaic Surplus Instead of selling your surplus back to your supplier for €0.03-0.06/kWh, you share it with your neighbours at a price agreed between participants, generally €0.10-0.15/kWh. This better value considerably increases the profitability of your solar installation. 2. Significant reduction in electricity bills Sharing participants benefit from an 80% reduction in distribution and transport costs for shared electricity. In concrete terms, instead of paying €0.25-0.30/kWh all inclusive, you pay around €0.15-0.18/kWh for local shared electricity. 3. Stable and predictable prices Unlike market rates, which fluctuate constantly, the price of shared electricity is fixed by agreement between the participants. This stability protects you from price rises and allows you to plan your energy budget over the long term. 4. Active participation in the Energy Transition By joining an energy community, you are making a direct contribution to decarbonising the Belgian electricity system. Each kWh shared is a renewable kWh that replaces fossil fuel production, thereby reducing the collective carbon footprint. "Renewable energy communities can maximise collective self-consumption by up to 70-80%, compared with just 30% for individual self-consumption." - CWaPE (Walloon Energy Commission) Economic model: Breakdown of costs Understanding the economic model for energy sharing is essential for assessing your potential gain. Here is the detailed tariff structure: Composante Tarifaire Sans Partage Avec Partage Économie Prix énergie fournisseur 0,08 €/kWh 0 € (énergie locale) 0,08 €/kWh Frais de distribution 0,09 €/kWh 0,02 €/kWh 0,07 €/kWh (-80%) Frais de transport 0,03 €/kWh 0,01 €/kWh 0,02 €/kWh (-80%) Prix électricité locale — 0,10-0,15 €/kWh Variable Taxes & surcharges 0,05 €/kWh 0,05 €/kWh Identiques TOTAL ~0,25 €/kWh ~0,18 €/kWh -28% 💰 Key points of the economic model : 80% discount on distribution and transmission tariffs for shared electricity Local electricity price freely defined between participants (generally €0.10-0.15/kWh) Supplier fee: some suppliers apply a monthly fee (€2-5/month) for their customers taking part in the sharing scheme Social tariff maintained: beneficiaries of the social tariff retain their advantage for shared volumes End of reverse metering: sharing participants can no longer use compensation (already the case for installations >10 kVA and new installations since 2024). Implementing Energy Sharing: 4 Essential Steps Stage 1: Communicating meters All participants (producers and consumers) must be equipped with a smart meter. These meters allow electrical flows to be measured in 15-minute increments, which is essential for sharing. 📞 Procedure: Contact your Distribution System Operator (DSO) to request the free replacement of your conventional meter with a smart meter. Average lead time: 4-8 weeks. Step 2: Sharing agreement Sign an agreement between the producer (owner of the photovoltaic system) and the consumers of the shared system. This agreement must specify Price of shared electricity (€/kWh): recommendation 0.10-0.15 €/kWh Distribution key: terms and conditions for allocating the surplus between participants (proportional to consumption, egalitarian, or personalised) Length of commitment: generally 1-3 years, renewable Exit conditions: notice period and termination terms Billing terms: frequency and method of payment Step 3: Launch form Submit the energy sharing launch form to your DSO. This official document triggers the technical implementation of sharing on the network. 📄 Documents required : Producer and consumer details EAN numbers of the meters concerned Allocation key chosen Signed sharing agreement Step 4: Agreement with the DSO Sign an agreement with your Distribution System Operator. This agreement defines the technical and operational aspects of energy sharing on the electricity network. Total commissioning time: Allow 2-4 months between submission of the application and actual activation of energy sharing. Modifying and stopping energy sharing One of the major advantages of the Walloon system is that you can freely change or stop sharing at any time. To Modify Sharing Submit the modification form to the DSO Adapt the sharing agreements between participants Time taken into account: 2-4 weeks Possible changes: addition/removal of participants, change of distribution key, change of local electricity price. To stop sharing Submit the activity termination form to the DSO Terminate the sharing agreements with the participants Return the green certificates to the authorities Operational management of Sharing As a Sharing Producer, you have two main responsibilities: 1. Billing Shared Electricity The producer invoices participating consumers directly for the amount corresponding to thelocal shared electricity (agreed price × shared kWh). Network charges and federal taxes remain billed by each participant's energy supplier. 💡 Tip: Use the quarterly statements provided by your DSO to draw up your bills. These statements detail precisely the volumes shared to each participant. 2. Return of Green Certificates For shared electricity, the producer must return the corresponding Green Certificates to the Walloon administration. This obligation is designed to avoid double valuation (local sale price + green certificates). Important: Green Certificates remain acquired for self-consumed electricity and electricity injected into the public grid. BEST-SELLER Self-consumption kits with storage Belgium ✅ Deye/Sofar hybrid inverters - ✅ Pylontech batteries - ✅ Professional installation 📋 See complete kits with installation Photovoltaic Solutions for Energy Sharing To optimise your energy-sharing project, the sizing of your photovoltaic installation is crucial. Here are the recommended configurations depending on the size of the building: Small condominiums (5-10 units) Recommended power: 10-15 kWp Inverter: Hybrid three-phase 10 kVA (Deye, Sofar Solar) Optional battery: 10-15 kWh to maximise self-consumption Annual production: 12,000-18,000 kWh Medium-sized condominium (10-20 units) Recommended output: 20-30 kWp Inverter: Hybrid three-phase 15-20 kVA Optional battery: 20-30 kWh Annual production: 24,000-36,000 kWh Large condominiums (>20 units) Recommended output: 30-50 kWp Inverter: Multi-inverter configuration or commercial inverters Optional battery: 40-60 kWh Annual production: 36,000-60,000 kWh+. Pitched roofs account for 75% of installations in Belgium. 🔗 See solar kits Official tools and resources Wallonia Energy Community Facilitator SPW Wallonia provides several essential resources: Dedicated webpage: Comprehensive information on energy sharing (CWaPE and Facilitator). Detailed FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about energy communities Explanatory guide to the form: Instructions for completing the launch form Modification guide: Procedure for modifying or stopping an existing share Location tool: Find your DSO easily according to your address Direct contact:📧 Email: facilitateur.communaute.energie@spw.wal lonie.be🌐 Contact form available online Wattuneed tools to size your project Wattuneed provides you with free sizing tools to accurately calculate the optimal photovoltaic power and storage capacity for your energy sharing project. 🧰 Go to the Wattuneed Toolbox Renewable Energy Communities (RECs): Beyond the Building Sharing energy within a building is the simplest form of energy community. But the Walloon legal framework also allows for the creation of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs ) on a neighbourhood or municipal scale. Difference between RECs and Shared Buildings Critère Partage dans un Bâtiment CER (Communauté d'Énergie) Périmètre Un seul bâtiment Plusieurs bâtiments / quartier Structure juridique Simple convention privée ASBL ou coopérative obligatoire Réduction frais réseau -80% Variable selon distance Complexité administrative Faible Élevée Nombre de participants Limité aux habitants du bâtiment Illimité dans le périmètre Recommendation: For an initial project, opt for energy sharing within a building, which is much simpler to set up. Multi-building RECs require specialist professional support. Tax and accounting aspects For the producer (owner of the installation) Income from the sale of local electricity : If occasional activity (€10,000/year): possibility of additional self-employed status VAT: exemption up to €25,000 turnover For Consumer Participants No specific tax declaration is required. Buying local electricity is similar to buying from a traditional supplier. 💡 Tip: Consult an accountant to validate the tax regime suited to your situation, particularly if sharing income exceeds €5,000/year. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Can I take part in energy sharing as a tenant? Yes, you can. Tenants can take part in energy sharing in the same way as homeowners, as long as the meter is in their name and they have a smart meter. You do not need the owner's agreement to join an existing shared system in the building. What happens if my production is insufficient for all the participants? The allocation key defined in the agreement determines how the available surplus is distributed between participants. If production is insufficient at any given time, each participant automatically draws the additional energy needed from the electricity grid via their usual supplier. Can I combine energy sharing and green certificates? Partially. You keep the green certificates for the electricity you use yourself and the electricity you feed into the public grid. However, you must return the green certificates corresponding to the volumes of electricity shared with the other participants. Do I have to change my electricity supplier to take part? No. Each participant keeps their current electricity supplier. Energy sharing works in parallel with your traditional supply contract. Please note, however, that some suppliers charge a monthly fee (€2-5) for their customers taking part in energy sharing. What is the minimum commitment period for energy sharing? There is no legal minimum term. The length of the commitment is freely defined in the agreement between participants. In practice, commitments of 1 to 3 years are recommended to ensure the stability of the project, with the possibility of early withdrawal subject to prior notice (generally 3 months). Does energy sharing also work in Flanders and Brussels? The framework described in this article relates specifically to the Walloon Region. Flanders and Brussels have their own regulations for energy pools, with different terms and conditions. Contact the relevant regional authorities for more information: VREG (Flanders) and Brugel (Brussels). Conclusion: Energy sharing, the future of collective self-consumption Energy sharing represents a major step forward in the democratisation of access to renewable energies in Belgium. Thanks to the Walloon decree of 2022 and the tools put in place by the Energy Community Facilitator, it has never been easier to make the most of your photovoltaic production while reducing your neighbours' bills. There are many benefits: 💰 Economic: up to 28% savings on the electricity consumed. 🌍 Ecological: maximising local use of renewable energy 🤝 Social: creating links and energy solidarity in your building 📈 Financial: greater profitability for your photovoltaic installation With the regulatory framework constantly evolving and procedures set to be simplified, 2025-2026 looks set to be the golden age of energy communities in Wallonia. Don't wait any longer to explore this opportunity and join the thousands of Walloon residents already committed to this local, citizen-based energy transition. 📚 NEED SUPPORT? Check out our blog and our technical support for all your questions 📖 GO TO THE BLOG 🛠️ TECHNICAL SUPPORT Wattuneed SPRLRue Henripré 12, 4821 Andrimont, BelgiumTel: +32 87 45 00 34 - info@wattuneed.comwww.wattuneed.com | Technical support