Energy Sharing in Belgium: The Complete Guide 2025 CER Wallonia

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 renewable electricity generated by solar panels installed on the roof of a building with all residents who wish to do so.

This innovation radically transforms the traditional energy model: instead of feeding your surplus solar production into the grid at a pittance, you can share it directly with your neighbours, co-owners or tenants in the same building. The result? Better value for your solar production and lower electricity bills for all participants.

Legal Framework: Decree of 5 May 2022 and Developments for 2025

The Walloon regulatory framework for energy sharing is based on the Decree of 5 May 2022, supplemented by the Government Order of 17 March 2023 on energy communities and energy sharing. This legislation precisely defines the procedures for implementing Renewable Energy Communities (CERs).

“Electricity sharing allows surplus electricity to be better utilised whilst reducing participants’ electricity bills, guaranteeing a stable price that is independent of market fluctuations.”
— Energy Community Facilitator, SPW Wallonia

⚠️ Important: The Walloon legal framework is currently being adapted to further facilitate the implementation of energy sharing in the Walloon region. Once the new legislation is enacted, certain procedures will be amended. A new Facilitator has been appointed to support project leaders.

Services provided by the Energy Community Facilitator

The Energy Community Facilitator set up by SPW Wallonia now offers:

• Detailed information documents on electricity sharing
• Personalised support via email for your projects
• Coming soon: various online support tools
• A referral 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 smart devices measure incoming and outgoing electricity flows every 15 minutes. The Distribution System Operator (DSO) then allocates the feed-in volumes to consumers for each quarter-hour period as they consume, following a predefined allocation formula.

Comparison: Without vs With Energy Sharing

In a traditional co-ownership property without energy sharing, self-consumption is often less than 30% of production. With energy sharing, this rate can rise to 70–80%, thereby increasing the profitability of your solar installation.

The 4 Major Benefits of Energy Sharing

1. Better Use of Surplus Solar Power

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, usually €0.10–0.15/kWh. This better utilisation significantly increases the profitability of your solar installation.

2. Significant Reduction in Electricity Bills

Participants in the sharing scheme benefit from an 80% reduction in distribution and transmission charges for shared electricity. In practical terms, instead of paying €0.25–0.30/kWh all-inclusive, you pay around €0.15–0.18/kWh for locally shared electricity.

3. Stable and Predictable Pricing

Unlike market rates, which fluctuate constantly, the price of shared electricity is set by agreement between participants. This stability protects you from price rises and allows you to plan your energy budget for the long term.

4. Active Participation in the Energy Transition

By joining an energy community, you contribute directly to the decarbonisation of the Belgian electricity system. Every shared kWh is a renewable kWh that replaces fossil fuel generation, thereby reducing the collective carbon footprint.

“Renewable energy communities enable collective self-consumption to be maximised to 70–80%, compared with just 30% for individual self-consumption.”
— CWaPE (Walloon Energy Commission)

Economic Model: Breakdown of Costs

Understanding the economic model of energy sharing is essential for assessing your potential savings. Here is the detailed pricing structure:

Key points of the economic model:

• 80% reduction on distribution and transmission tariffs for shared electricity
• Local electricity price freely agreed between participants (generally €0.10–0.15/kWh)
• Supplier fee: some suppliers charge a monthly fee (€2–5/month) for customers participating in sharing
• Social tariff retained: beneficiaries of the social tariff retain their benefit for shared volumes
• End of reverse metering: participants in the sharing scheme can no longer claim compensation (already the case for installations >10 kVA and new installations from 2024)

Setting Up Energy Sharing: 4 Essential Steps

Step 1: Smart Meters

All participants (generators and consumers) must be fitted with a smart meter. These meters measure electricity flows in 15-minute intervals, which is essential for sharing.

📞 Procedure: Contact your Distribution System Operator (DSO) to request the free replacement of your traditional meter with a smart meter. Average turnaround time: 4–8 weeks.

Step 2: Sharing Agreement

Sign an agreement between the producer (owner of the solar installation) and the consumers participating in the sharing scheme. This agreement must specify:

• Price of shared electricity (€/kWh): recommended €0.10–0.15/kWh
• Allocation formula: how the surplus is distributed among participants (proportional to consumption, equal, or customised)
• Duration of the agreement: generally 1–3 years, renewable
• Withdrawal conditions: notice period and termination procedures
• Billing terms: frequency and payment method

Step 3: Launch Form

Submit the energy sharing launch form to your DSO. This official document triggers the technical implementation of sharing on the grid.

📄 Required documents:

• Contact details of the producer and consumers
• EAN numbers of the relevant meters
• Selected allocation key
• Signed sharing agreement

Step 4: Agreement with the DSO

Sign an agreement with your Distribution System Operator. This agreement sets out the technical and operational aspects of energy sharing on the electricity grid.

Total commissioning time: Allow 2–4 months from submission of the application to the effective activation of energy sharing.

Modifying and stopping energy sharing

One of the major advantages of the Walloon system: you can modify or stop sharing freely at any time.

To Modify the Sharing

1. Submit the modification form to the DSO
2. Amend the sharing agreements between participants
3. Processing time: 2–4 weeks

Possible changes: adding/removing participants, changing the allocation key, modifying the local electricity price.

To Stop the Sharing Arrangement

1. Submit the activity termination form to the DSO
2. Terminate the sharing agreements with participants
3. Return the green certificates to the administration

Operational Management of the Sharing Scheme

As a sharing producer, you have two main responsibilities:

1. Billing for Shared Electricity

The producer bills participating consumers directly for the amount corresponding tothe shared local electricity (agreed price × shared kWh). Network charges and federal taxes continue to be billed by each participant’s energy supplier.

💡 Tip: Use the quarterly statements provided by your DSO to draw up your invoices. These statements detail precisely the volumes shared with 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 intended to prevent double counting (local sale price + green certificates).

Important: Green certificates are retained for self-consumed electricity and electricity fed into the public grid.

Photovoltaic Solutions Suitable for Energy Sharing

To optimise your energy-sharing project, the sizing of your photovoltaic installation is crucial. Here are the recommended configurations based on the size of the building:

Small block of flats (5–10 flats)

• Recommended power: 10–15 kWp
• Inverter: 10 kVA three-phase hybrid (Deye, Sofar Solar)
• Optional battery: 10–15 kWh to maximise self-consumption
• Annual production: 12,000–18,000 kWh

Medium-sized block of flats (10–20 flats)

• Recommended capacity: 20–30 kWp
• Inverter: Three-phase hybrid 15–20 kVA
• Optional battery: 20–30 kWh
• Annual output: 24,000–36,000 kWh

Large apartment block (>20 flats)

• Recommended capacity: 30–50 kWp+
• Inverter: Multi-inverter configuration or commercial inverters
• Optional battery: 40–60 kWh+
• Annual output: 36,000–60,000 kWh+

Pitched roofs account for 75% of installations in Belgium. 🔗 View 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
• Form guide: Instructions for completing the launch form
• Amendment guide: Procedure for amending or terminating an existing sharing arrangement
• Location tool: Easily find your DSO based on your address

Direct contact:
📧 Email: facilitateur.communaute.energie@spw.wallonie.be
🌐 Contact form available online

Wattuneed tools to size your project

Wattuneed provides free sizing tools to accurately calculate the optimal photovoltaic power and storage capacity for your energy-sharing project.

🧰 Access the Wattuneed Toolkit

Renewable Energy Communities (CER): Beyond Buildings

Energy sharing within a building is the simplest form of energy community. However, the Walloon legal framework also allows for the creation of Renewable Energy Communities (REC) at neighbourhood or municipal level.

Difference between RECs and Energy Sharing within a Building

Recommendation: For a first project, opt for energy sharing within a single building, which is much simpler to implement. 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): miscellaneous income (tax return)
• If regular activity (>€10,000/year): possibility of supplementary self-employed status
• VAT: exemption scheme up to €25,000 in turnover

For Participating Consumers

No specific tax declaration is required. Buying local electricity is similar to buying from a traditional supplier.

💡 Tip: Consult an accountant to confirm the tax regime appropriate for your situation, particularly if income from sharing exceeds €5,000 per year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I take part in energy sharing as a tenant?

Yes, absolutely. Tenants can participate in energy sharing in the same way as homeowners, provided the meter is in their name and they have a smart meter. The landlord’s consent is not required to join an existing sharing scheme in the building.

What happens if my energy production is insufficient for all participants?

The allocation formula set out in the agreement determines how the available surplus is distributed among participants. If production is insufficient at any given time, each participant automatically draws the necessary top-up from the electricity grid via their usual supplier.

Can I combine energy sharing with green certificates?

Partially. You retain the green certificates for the electricity you consume yourself and the electricity fed into the public grid. However, you must return the green certificates corresponding to the volumes of electricity shared with the other participants.

Do I need to switch electricity suppliers to take part?

No. Each participant keeps their current electricity supplier. Energy sharing operates alongside your standard supply contract. Please note, however, that some suppliers charge a monthly fee (€2–5) for customers participating in a sharing scheme.

What is the minimum commitment period for an energy-sharing scheme?

There is no legal minimum duration. The commitment period 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 option to withdraw early subject to notice (usually 3 months).

Does energy sharing also work in Flanders and Brussels?

The framework described in this article specifically concerns the Walloon Region. Flanders and Brussels have their own regulations for energy communities, with different terms and conditions. Please check with the relevant regional authorities: VREG (Flanders) and Brugel (Brussels).

Conclusion: Energy Sharing, the Future of Collective Self-Consumption

Energy sharing represents a major step forward in democratising access to renewable energy in Belgium. Thanks to the 2022 Walloon decree and the tools put in place by the Energy Community Facilitator, it has never been easier to make the most of your solar power generation whilst reducing your neighbours’ bills.

The benefits are numerous:

• 💰 Financial: up to 28% savings on electricity consumption
• 🌍 Environmental: maximising the local use of renewable energy
• 🤝 Social: building connections and fostering energy solidarity within your building
• 📈 Financial: improved return on your solar installation

With the regulatory framework constantly evolving and the announced simplification of procedures, 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 Walloons already committed to this local, citizen-led energy transition.

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