Belgium’s electricity mix in 2020: Renewable generation up 31% in a year marked by the COVID-19 crisis

These initial figures highlight the main trends in 2020, but have yet to be consolidated. The main developments over the past year were an increase in renewable power generation (due in part to offshore wind development), a reduction in nuclear generation, stable generation from gas-fired power plants and a near balance between electricity imports and exports. Many records were broken again this year, with the average monthly MWh price on the day-ahead market reaching a historic low.

Highlights

• Renewable generation breaks multiple records, accounting for 18.6% of the electricity mix
• Average monthly price on the short-term (day-ahead) market at a historic low of €31.9/MWh due to the COVID-19 crisis
• Electricity consumption in Belgium down 7% in 2020 compared with the average for the previous five years.