The distribution cost is one of the three main parts of your energy bill.

• The energy cost (58 % of the bill)
• The distribution cost (23 % of the bill)
• Taxes and federal contributions (19 % of the bill).

The distribution cost included in your bill covers not only the actual distribution cost, but also other costs that the distribution system operator (link in French) has to collect and pass on to the relevant parties.

In Brussels, the distribution system operator is Sibelga.

What do the distribution costs for gas include?

The distribution cost in your bill consists of three main elements:

1. The core tasks of the distribution system operator (19 % of the bill)
2. Regional public service obligations (1 % of the bill) passed on to the authorities
3. The municipal fee for occupation of the public domain (3% of the bill) passed on to the authorities

(Source figures: Tariefstudie CREG tariff study and Sibelga)

1. Distribution system operator’s tasks (19 % of the bill)

• Management, maintenance and development of the entire gas network
• Management of all gas meters
• Management of consumption data
• Management of the operation of the market (customer exchanges, supplier exchanges, etc.)

Some figures for the Brussels energy network:

• Gas pipelines, almost 2,900 km
• Gas meters, almost 497,000
• Meter readings to be taken: 1,800,000 annual and monthly meter readings (electricity and gas)

2. Regional public service obligations (1% of the bill)

By order of the regional authorities, the distribution system operator also has to provide specific public services:

• Management of the street lighting on municipal roads. In Brussels, this means being responsible for over 76,000 street lamps and carrying out around 8,800 repairs every year.
• Protection of weaker consumers.
  This is done by supplying energy to those with ‘protected customer’ status and fitting a capacity limiter for customers with payment difficulties.
• Taking responsibility for the power supply at markets and festivities.
• Risk prevention for indoor gas installations.

3. The municipal fee for occupation of the public domain (3 % of the bill)

The fee for occupation of the public domain is a levy paid to be able to use the public highway to lay gas pipelines and electricity cables.