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Verbruggen, Aviel; Vanderstappen, Erwin --- "Electricity Sector Restructuring in Belgium" [2003] ELECD 54; in Glachant, Jean-Michael; Finon, Dominique (eds), "Competition in European Electricity Markets" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2003)

Book Title: Competition in European Electricity Markets

Editor(s): Glachant, Jean-Michael; Finon, Dominique

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781843761785

Section: Chapter 12

Section Title: Electricity Sector Restructuring in Belgium

Author(s): Verbruggen, Aviel; Vanderstappen, Erwin

Number of pages: 26

Extract:

12. Electricity sector restructuring in
Belgium
Aviel Verbruggen and Erwin Vanderstappen

INTRODUCTION

In the first part of the chapter we offer a survey of the organization of the
Belgian Electricity Sector. This part starts with some data on electricity
flows in Belgium. We then depict the regulatory framework prior to the
adoption of the EU Directive 96/92 and the implementing Federal
Electricity Act of 29 April 1999 (hereinafter the Electricity Act). Special
attention is devoted to the scattered energy competencies among the
federal, regional and local public authorities. Finally, we discuss the struc-
ture, ownership and supervision of the electricity supply sector.
In the second part we describe and assess the new regulatory framework.
The main issues of the Electricity Act are discussed and critically com-
mented on. They encompass regulation, generation planning, investment
and licensing for new construction plans, transmission network operator,
network access and eligibility, unbundling of accounts, public service obli-
gations and stranded costs. To a great extent the December 1999 report and
recommendations of the Working Group of Experts on Electricity
Liberalization reflect these comments while adding others. In its turn, the
Report and Recommendations have been incorporated in the federal gov-
ernment's Guidelines for finalizing liberalization of the electricity market,
that were implemented by the federal law of 16 July 2001.


ORGANIZATION OF THE BELGIAN ELECTRICITY
SECTOR

Main Data on the Belgian Electricity Sector

Belgium is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch.
Federalization took place in consecutive reforms. Since 1993 Belgium is
...