There's a lot going on these days about the capacity tariff, also known as peak power. Many people are wondering if they will now be paying themselves blue for energy, and how this works specifically. We've briefly summarized the key issues for you below to paint a better picture.

The capacity tariff is part of the new network tariffs for families and small businesses in Flanders. From now on, you will have to pay more if you are connected to the low-voltage grid, except when you are entitled to social tariff. But, it is not an additional cost. The sum you have to pay at the end of the road is simply calculated in a different way. Instead of the calculation from before, from 2023 onwards, you will be looked at the amount of electricity you consume maximum at a time. In other words, your consumption at a peak time. This aims to make households more conscious of their electricity.

So everything depends on your own energy consumption. But in what way is this going to affect your bill?

• If you spread your consumption throughout the day, you will automatically pay less. Avoid high consumption peaks such as 6 am to 8 am and 6 pm to 8 pm.

In this way, VREG hopes to load the electricity grid less at 1 moment. In other words, to reduce peak moments. The new tariffs are there to ensure that the Flemish spread their consumption over the day, and thus do not overload the electricity grid.

First, the capacity tariff was already applicable to large companies. From Jan. 1, 2023, VREG split the existing network charges into 2 parts, namely:

• All families in Flanders
• Small businesses in Flanders

However, the capacity tariff does not apply to households enjoying the social tariff. Currently, 16% of Flemish households have this social tariff.

For starters, avoid starting large consumers at the same time. A washing machine and a dishwasher both have a water heater that heats up, which of course consumes a lot. So don't start them at the same time. The combination with a vacuum cleaner is also not ideal.

In addition, you need to start looking at which consumers you really need. Check the energy labels of all appliances. If possible, it is best to replace an appliance with an energy-efficient alternative. Also, it is not always necessary to have a^2nd refrigerator, or leave the outside lights on at night and so on.

In the long run, making your home more energy efficient is certainly an interesting option, but how can you do this? For starters, consider alternative energy. You can replace electric fire with air-to-air heat pumps, which is an air conditioner with the option to heat. In addition, you can invest in solar panels to handle peak times with free generated solar energy. Then if you don't want to throw energy away, you can also purchase an additional home battery. Additionally, if you also have an electric car, you can opt for a smart charging station linked to the solar panels. Finally, you can replace your old gas system with an air-water heat pump. This will drastically reduce your consumption.

In Flanders, they have started installing this digital meter since 2019. The goal is to have about 80% of homes fitted with such a meter by 2024, and everyone by 2029. This is done automatically by the grid operator when there is a thorough renovation, in new homes and if you have solar panels installed.

Of course, you can also request such a digital meter on your own initiative. Then you pay a one-time installation fee of €88. If you wait until it is your turn at Fluvius, then the installation is free. Read more about it in this article.