In Belgium, the electricity consumption landscape in 2025 is a tapestry of varied energy sources, with a promising dominance of low-carbon options. Over half of the country's electricity, approximately 66 percent, is derived from low-carbon sources. Within this realm of clean electricity, nuclear energy alone contributes nearly 30 percent. Wind and solar power are significant players as well, supplying almost 17 percent and around 14 percent, respectively. On the flip side, fossil fuels continue to account for a substantial portion, with about 22 percent of electricity, predominantly from gas at roughly 18 percent. Meanwhile, coal lingers at a marginal 3 percent share. Notably, Belgium also relies on net imports for about 12 percent of its electricity needs, showcasing the interconnectedness with neighboring regions in its energy mix.
Data sources used on this page include ENTSOE, Eurostat, IEA and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Belgium?
Belgium's overall electricity consumption per capita has seen a notable decline from past records, dropping from 9,079 kWh per person in 2006 to 6,415 kWh per person in 2025 — a drop of roughly 2,664 kWh. While this might reflect energy-saving initiatives or shifts in industrial activity, it's concerning from a growth perspective. Even more worrying is the decrease in low-carbon electricity generation, which has fallen from a 2021 high of 6,094 kWh per person to 4,202 kWh per person in 2025. This situation presents an urgent challenge: Belgium must ensure its clean energy generation capabilities grow to meet future demand, driven by electrification and innovations like AI, while reducing reliance on fossil fuels due to their environmental and health impacts.
Suggestions
To bolster its low-carbon electricity generation, Belgium should consider expanding its existing nuclear, wind, and solar capacities. It can draw inspiration from France and Slovakia, where nuclear power contributes more than 60 percent of their electricity generation, emphasizing the potential scale-up of nuclear capabilities. For wind and solar energy, Denmark and Iowa exemplify regions where more than half of their electricity is sourced from wind power, while California demonstrates the potential for solar energy contributing significantly, by more than 30 percent. These examples illuminate pathways through which Belgium can robustly enhance its clean electricity generation, ensuring sustainable growth and energy security.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Belgium reveals a complex evolution marked by significant phases in the nuclear sector. The late 20th century saw a prolific rise in nuclear electricity with notable increases in years like 1975 and the mid-1980s, which laid a strong foundation for Belgium's low-carbon status. However, starting in 2012, Belgium faced successive annual declines in nuclear output, including a sharp decrease in 2018. Despite brief recoveries in 2016 and 2019, the downward trajectory persisted with declines in 2020, 2022, and 2023. It is imperative that Belgium revitalizes its commitment to expanding nuclear power as an essential step towards increasing low-carbon electricity generation and addressing climate change challenges. In contrast, wind energy has recently started to show growth, suggesting a positive shift that can be further augmented alongside continuing commitment to a clean and sustainable energy future.
