Belgium experienced a noteworthy surge in the share of energy generated by wind turbines and solar panels, marking a significant milestone in 2023. High-voltage grid operator Elia's data revealed that solar panels and wind turbines collectively produced nearly a quarter more electricity compared to the previous year. The windier-than-usual climate played a crucial role in this achievement.
Data from Elia disclosed that the total annual wind and photovoltaic (PV) generation reached an unprecedented 21.5 terawatt-hours (TWh), representing a remarkable 23% increase since 2022. The share of renewable energy in the country's overall generation rose to 28.2%, a new record compared to 19.8% in the preceding year.
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Nevertheless, nuclear and gas power plants continued to dominate the energy landscape, contributing to two-thirds of total electricity generation. Although their share declined from 74.2% in 2022 to 66.5%, nuclear energy remained a significant player, accounting for 41.3% of the electricity mix.
Gas-fired generation, while historically low, secured the second position in the energy mix. The reduced gas generation was attributed to high gas prices, amplified renewable generation, increased imports, and historically low consumption levels.
The year 2023 witnessed notable achievements in both solar and wind energy production. Solar panels generated 7,193 gigawatt-hours (GWh), marking a 12.2% increase from 2022. Wind farms in the Belgian North Sea set a new record, generating 8,011 GWh, driven by favorable wind conditions throughout the year.
An exceptional quarter-hour record of 8,078 megawatts was established on May 29, 2023, covering 93% of total consumption for that quarter-hour. Belgium experienced a substantial increase in instances where almost half of the country's consumption was covered by renewable energies, occurring 12.5% of the time, three times more frequently than in 2022.
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July 2023 witnessed a record-breaking achievement, with wind and photovoltaic generation covering nearly 35% of Belgian consumption throughout the month. Wind power generation in July was 40% higher than the same period in 2022.
The surge in renewable energy production has also led to negative prices on the Belgian market, occurring 2.5% of the time in 2023. As wind and solar power continue to make strides, Belgium moves toward a more sustainable and diversified energy landscape.
