This article needs to be updated.(October 2023) |
Electricity production in Belgium reached 87.9 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2020, with nuclear power (39%), natural gas (30%), and wind (15%) as the primary sources. Additional contributions came from biofuels and waste (7%), solar (6%), and coal (2%). In the same year, the total electricity demand was 80.9 TWh, with consumption predominantly from the industrial sector (50%), followed by commercial (25%), residential (23%), and transport (2%) sectors. [1] [2]
Belgium's federal electricity policy aimed to enhance renewable energy, increase cross-border interconnection capacity, and phase out nuclear power by 2025. A key initiative includes promoting offshore wind energy through competitive auctioning processes. In response to the nuclear phase-out, Belgium is set to introduce between 2.0 and 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity by 2025. [2]
This section needs to be updated.(September 2023) |
In 2008 Belgium consumed electricity 8,961 kWh/person. EU15 average was 7,409 kWh/person. [3]
Year | Use | Production | Net Imports | Fossil | Nuclear | Other RE | Biomass & waste | Wind | Non RE use* | RE % | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amount | % | Amount | % | |||||||||
2004 | 8,967 | 8,219 | 749 | 8.3% | 3,323 | 4,540 | 50.6 % | 168 | 187 | 8,612 | 4.0% | |
2005 | 8,913 | 8,311 | 602 | 6.8 % | 3,351 | 4,546 | 51.0% | 200 | 215 | 8,499 | 4.7% | |
2006 | 9,111 | 8,466 | 645 | 7.1% | 3,343 | 4,581 | 50.3 % | 234 | 308 | 8,568 | 5.9% | |
2008 | 8,961 | 7,962 | 999 | 11.1% | 2,997 | 4,295 | 47.9 % | 252 | 418 | 8,291 | 7.5% | |
2009 | 8,152 | 8,319 | -167 | -2.0 % | 3,330 | 4,388 | 53.8% | 74* | 436 | 93* | 7,549 | 7,4% |
* Other RE is waterpower, solar and geothermal electricity and wind power until 2008 * Non RE use = use – production of renewable electricity * RE % = (production of RE / use) * 100% Note: European Union calculates the share of renewable energies in gross electrical consumption. |
Total electricity imports in Belgium were 11 TWh in 2008. This was the seventh highest total in the world behind Brazil (42 TWh), Italy (40 TWh), USA (33 TWh), the Netherlands (16 TWh), Finland (13 TWh), and the UK (11 TWh). [4] More recent data show that this deficit was reduced to 9.6 TWh in 2013.[ citation needed ]
Belgium has traditionally depended on electricity imports, mainly from France and, in recent years, the Netherlands. Although it has been a net importer since 1991, it became a net exporter in more recent years, particularly in 2019 and 2020. The net exports in 2019 reached 1.9 terawatt-hours (TWh), supported by increased nuclear generation, enhanced wind and solar PV production, and the initiation of its first interconnection with the United Kingdom. However, net exports fell to 0.3 TWh in 2020. [2]
In 2020, Belgium's nuclear sector comprised seven reactors across two power plants, with an installed capacity of 5.94 gigawatts (GW). The nuclear reactors generated 34.4 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, marking a 28% decrease since 2010. Despite this decline, nuclear energy accounted for 17.8% of Belgium's total energy supply and 39.2% of its electricity generation. [2]
Belgium's nuclear policy aimed to achieve a secure phase-out by 2025 while prioritizing safe waste disposal and research continuity. Oversight of safety and licensing is entrusted to the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control. Enacted in 2003, Belgium's federal law mandates the phase-out of all nuclear electricity generation. Amendments in 2013 and 2015 extended the operational lifespan of two reactors until 2025. In 2022, Belgium extended 2 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity for ten years, citing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and a commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels as reasons. In accordance with this revised plan, the majority of Belgium's nuclear power generation capacity will be phased-out by 2025. Additionally, Belgium implemented a Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM), auctioning payments to 4.4 GW of capacity in October 2021, aimed at supporting electricity supply. [2]
From 2010 to 2020, Belgium's production of electricity from renewable sources expanded from 5.4 terawatt-hours (TWh) to 23.4 TWh. This growth was principally attributed to an increase in wind energy, from 1.4% to 14.4% of the country's total electricity generation, and an enhancement in solar photovoltaic (PV) output, from 0.6% to 5.8%. Additionally, electricity generated from bioenergy—which encompasses solid biomass, biogas, renewable waste, and liquid biofuels—rose from 4.4% to 6.0%. Conversely, due to Belgium's constrained hydropower resources, hydropower's share of electricity generation remained minimal, at 0.3% in 2020. [2]
In 2020, Belgium's CO2 emissions from energy use were predominantly from industry (32%), buildings (26%), transportation (25%), and electricity/heat generation (17%). The major fuel sources driving these emissions included oil (46%) and natural gas (40%), with coal (10%) and non-renewable waste (4%) also contributing. [2]
The electricity sector in Norway relies predominantly on hydroelectricity. A significant share of the total electrical production is consumed by national industry.
Energy in the United Kingdom came mostly from fossil fuels in 2021. Total energy consumption in the United Kingdom was 142.0 million tonnes of oil equivalent in 2019. In 2014, the UK had an energy consumption per capita of 2.78 tonnes of oil equivalent compared to a world average of 1.92 tonnes of oil equivalent. Demand for electricity in 2023 was 29.6 GW on average, supplied through 235 TWh of UK-based generation and 24 TWh of energy imports.
Renewable energy in Germany is mainly based on wind and biomass, plus solar and hydro. Germany had the world's largest photovoltaic installed capacity until 2014, and as of 2023 it has over 82 GW. It is also the world's third country by installed total wind power capacity, 64 GW in 2021 and second for offshore wind, with over 7 GW. Germany has been called "the world's first major renewable energy economy".
Brazil is the 7th largest energy consumer in the world and the largest in South America. At the same time, it is an important oil and gas producer in the region and the world's second largest ethanol fuel producer. The government agencies responsible for energy policy are the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), the National Council for Energy Policy (CNPE), the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) and the National Agency of Electricity (ANEEL). State-owned companies Petrobras and Eletrobras are the major players in Brazil's energy sector, as well as Latin America's.
Sweden has a total of 16.4 GW of wind power capacity at the end of 2023, the 5th highest in Europe and most per capita. Wind power produced 20.9% of national electricity generation in 2023, up from 0.3% in 2000.
Energy in Mexico describes energy, fuel, and electricity production, consumption and import in Mexico.
The United States has the second largest electricity sector in the world, with 4,178 Terawatt-hours of generation in 2023. In 2023 the industry earned $491b in revenue at an average price of $0.127/kWh.
Majority of electricity production in Sweden relies on hydro power and nuclear power. In 2008 the consumption of electricity in Sweden was 16018 kWh per capita, compared to EU average 7409 kWh per capita. Sweden has a national grid, which is part of the Synchronous grid of Northern Europe. A specialty of the Nordic energy market is the existence of so-called electricity price areas, which complicate the wholesale Nordic energy market.
Denmark's western electrical grid is part of the Synchronous grid of Continental Europe whereas the eastern part is connected to the Synchronous grid of Northern Europe via Sweden.
The National Grid covers most of mainland Great Britain and several of the surrounding islands, and there are interconnectors to Northern Ireland and to other European countries. Power is supplied to consumers at 230 volts AC with a frequency of 50 Hz. In 2023 about a third of electricity used in Britain was generated from fossil gas and two-thirds was low-carbon power. Wind generates the most low-carbon power, followed by nuclear some of which is imported from France. The government is aiming for greenhouse gas emissions from electricity in Britain to be net zero by 2035.
The electricity sector in France is dominated by its nuclear power, which accounted for 71.7% of total production in 2018, while renewables and fossil fuels accounted for 21.3% and 7.1%, respectively. France has the largest share of nuclear electricity in the world, and together with renewable energy supplies, this has helped its grid achieve very low carbon intensity.
The electric power industry in Japan covers the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy in Japan. Japan consumed approximately 918 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2014. Before the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, about a quarter of electricity in the country was generated by nuclear power. In the following years, most nuclear power plants have been on hold, being replaced mostly by coal and natural gas. Solar power is a growing source of electricity, and Japan has the third largest solar installed capacity with about 50 GW as of 2017. Japan's electricity production is characterized by a diverse energy mix, including nuclear, fossil fuels, renewable energy, and hydroelectric power.
In 2023, Spain consumed 244,686 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity, a 2.3% decline from 2022.
The electricity sector in Switzerland relies mainly on hydroelectricity, since the Alps cover almost two-thirds of the country's land mass, providing many large mountain lakes and artificial reservoirs suited for hydro power. In addition, the water masses drained from the Swiss Alps are intensively used by run-of-the-river hydroelectricity (ROR). With 9,052 kWh per person in 2008, the country's electricity consumption is relatively high and was 22% above the European Union's average.
South Africa has a large energy sector, being the third-largest economy in Africa. The country consumed 227 TWh of electricity in 2018. The vast majority of South Africa's electricity was produced from coal, with the fuel responsible for 88% of production in 2017. South Africa is the 7th largest coal producer in the world. As of July 2018, South Africa had a coal power generation capacity of 39 gigawatts (GW). South Africa is the world's 14th largest emitter of greenhouse gases. South Africa is planning to shift away from coal in the electricity sector and the country produces the most solar and wind energy by terawatt-hours in Africa. The country aims to decommission 34 GW of coal-fired power capacity by 2050. It also aims to build at least 20 GW of renewable power generation capacity by 2030. South Africa aims to generate 77,834 megawatts (MW) of electricity by 2030, with new capacity coming significantly from renewable sources to meet emission reduction targets. Through its goals stated in the Integrated Resource Plan, it announced the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, which aims to increase renewable power generation through private sector investment.
The Polish energy sector is the fifth largest in Europe. By the end of 2023, the installed generation capacity had reached 55.216 GW, while electricity consumption for that year was 167.52 TWh and generation was 163.63 TWh, with 26% of this coming from renewables.
Energy in Libya primarily revolves around the production, consumption, import, and export of energy, with a significant focus on the petroleum industry, which serves as the backbone of the Libyan economy. As of 2021, Libya is recognized as the seventh-largest crude oil producer in OPEC and ranks third in total petroleum liquids production in Africa. The country holds 3% of the world's proven oil reserves and 39% of Africa's, marking it as a key player in the global energy sector. Despite its abundant resources, the energy industry in Libya has faced significant challenges due to political instability following the civil war that began in 2011. These challenges have led to frequent disruptions in oil production and exports, directly impacting the national economy and its contributions to the global oil market. The sector's future is closely tied to the resolution of political conflicts and the effective management of its vast hydrocarbon resources.
Energy in Sweden is characterized by relatively high per capita production and consumption, and a reliance on imports for fossil fuel supplies.
Energy in Belarus describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Belarus. Belarus is a net energy importer. According to IEA, the energy import vastly exceeded the energy production in 2015, describing Belarus as one of the world's least energy sufficient countries in the world. Belarus is very dependent on Russia.
Denmark is a leading country in renewable energy production and usage. Renewable energy sources collectively produced 81% of Denmark's electricity generation in 2022, and are expected to provide 100% of national electric power production from 2030. Including energy use in the heating/cooling and transport sectors, Denmark is expected to reach 100% renewable energy in 2050, up from the 34% recorded in 2021.