Belgium Gas & Power Market Access
Belgium Gas Market Access
What is the lead time for a Belgium gas market access?
This is dependent on the number of Belgian TSO's one requires a licence from
What are the licencing requirements to trade in Belgium’s gas market for EU and Non-EU firms?
The gas supply activity requires an administrative license granted by the Federal Minister of Energy, only if the gas is sold to an end customer, or to a distribution company based in Belgium.
In addition, a regional supply license is required to sell gas to end-users connected to each region's distribution or local transmission grid. Therefore, the regional supply license will not be needed if the gas supply is made to customers connected directly to the national transmission grid
If I trade sell gas only to the hub at ZTP do I still require a supply licence in Belgium?
Generally, a trader who only sells gas at the hub ZTP does not need a federal or regional supply license. The same applies for gas transit, e.g. from the LNG terminal to the borders. When trading at the ZTP, the federal gas supply license is only necessary, if end-customer are applied, This means that a trader who sells gas at the hub to a customer, or to a distribution network operator does not need a supply permit, if he can prove that this customer or distribution network operator will in no way use the gas purchased at the hub for its own consumption in Belgium.
Can non-EU entities apply for a Belgian gas supply licence?
Belgium requires that applicants be established within the European Economic Area (EEA). In consequence a non-EU resident firm will need to establish a presence in the EEA/EU before applying for a supply license, but can freely trade at the hub without holding a license.
Is there an application fee for the Belgian gas supply licence?
Yes, as of 2025 the processing fee amounts to EUR 1,500. Note the fee will not be refunded in case of negative advice from the CREG. or the application is rejected.
What are the application requirements for Belgians regional supply licences?
In addition to the federal licence, each Belgian region has its own licence, and license holders are required to supply end consumers in each region. The three regional regulators are:
· VREG – regulator for Flanders region
· BRUGEL – regulator for Brussels region
· CWAPE – regulator for Wallonia region
Which organisation is the Belgium TSO for Gas?
Fluxys Belgium is the TSO responsible for capacity services along the Belgian territory as per the Access Code for Transmission (ACT) and differentiating by zone, i.e. H-gas and L-gas.
How does a trader access the Belgian gas network via Fluxys?
Belgium and Luxembourg share one market zone. To subscribe and use transmission services, a trader must first register as a network user, as set out in the Code of Conduct, which entails signing the Standard Transmission Agreement (STA).
The STA is an indefinite agreement. By signing the STA, the network user acknowledges to be bound by and to have taken knowledge of all provisions set out in the Access Code for Transmission. Furthermore, in order to be able to use services within the BeLux areas, the network user also accepts to perform gas operations under the Balancing Agreement required to fulfil capacity services contracted.
Which organisation is the balancing market operator for Belgium’s gas market?
Balansys is the blancing market for the gas market in Belgium and Luxemburg. Registration to Balansys is required before trading on ZTP and the requirements are similar to registering the Fluxys the Belgium TSO.
Belgium Power Market Access
What is the lead time for a Belgium power market access?
~4 months, depending on the length of the ELIA KYC process
What are the licencing requirements to enter the Belgium power market?
In Belgium, wholesale traders are not required to hold a licence, provided they do not supply end customers, who are directly connected to the Belgium grid.
A licence is required from the Federal Minister of Energy, if the supply of electricity is made to end customers established in Belgium who are directly connected to the transmission network or to a direct line with a nominal voltage higher than 70,000 volts.
A licence application must be made to the Belgian region where the customer is located. The three regional regulators are:
· VREG – regulator for Flanders region
· BRUGEL – regulator for Brussels region
· CWAPE – regulator for Wallonia region
Are there any additional requirements for Non-EU entities?
Non-EU companies trading wholesale (and not direct to Belgian end-customers) face no additional requirements to trade the Belgian power market.
However, if a non-EU firm wishes to supply Belgian end-customers then they require an established legal entity in one of the European Union’s Member States, in order to apply for a supply licence.
What are the requirements a Balance Responsible Party (BRP) in Belgium's power market?
Any customer, supplier, producer, or trader can apply to become a Balance Responsible
Party (BRP) from Elia the Belgium Transmission System Operator (TSO). In addition to a supplier licence and a bank guarantee, two codes need to be secured:
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ACER code: The European Regulation on the integrity and transparency of the wholesale energy market (REMIT) requires participants in the wholesale energy market to be registered at ACER.
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Energy Identification Code (EIC): The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) uniquely identifies participants in the Electricity and Gas Market and other entities active in the European Internal Energy Market.
Who are the National Market Operators in Belgium?
The National Electricity Market Operators in Belgium are EPEX SPOT SE and Nord Pool EMCO AS, respectively.
What are the requirements to trade on EPEX SPOT and Nord Pool EMCO AS in Belgium?
Prior to trading on both these platforms it is required to be registered with Elia the TSO.
EPEX spot requires traders onboard with European Commodity Clearing AG (ECC), the clearing house of EEX.
Correggio Consulting Market Access Services
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