Future monitoring of the gas and electricity prices by the CREG

The Minister of Climate and Energy, Paul Magnette, wants to extend the competences of the CREG, more specifically, the monitoring of prices as well as the permanent monitoring of the gas and electricity markets. This monitoring also consists in the control of data that allows the CREG to determine the indexparamaters. Furthermore, it implies that they have a periodically access to the real costs, commodity and commodity exclusive, from all licensed producers, importers and suppliers of the Belgian gas- and electricity market.

For to the Minister, this system will lead to a more transparent market and will give the competent authorities the opportunity to improve this market.

The monitoring of the price evolution seems in se useful and necessary. However, the collection of information re costs and especially the details about the origin of these costs, needs to be limited. Since the energy market is very international, there exists a potential risk that currently Belgian companies would move to other countries, only to avoid the excessive control.

Therefore, Mr. Bart Laeremans emphasized that it is necessary to balance the decision, taking into account the possible contra productive consequences.
The reports of the CREG and the ‘Competition Authority’, currently not published yet, will probably give a better view on the situation.

Future monitoring of the gas and electricity prices by the CREG