The meters at my new address are closed. What do I have to do to obtain power?

Are you without electricity and gas in your new home because the meters are closed?

To have your meters opened, you have to take two steps:

• You must have a contract with an energy supplier. If this is not yet the case, you can transfer your current contract to your new address, negotiate a new contract with your current supplier or conclude a new contract with a different supplier. In any case, you must let your supplier have the EAN code(s) of your new home. You can obtain these from the previous occupier or owner or via Sibelga.
   
• Once you have signed your contract, you can make an appointment with Sibelga to have your meters opened. Call 02 549 41 00 and be sure to have the EAN codes to hand.

Only Sibelga is permitted to open the electricity and gas meters.

Sometimes the meters in your new home are closed. Either because they are new meters, or because they have been closed for a particular reason. In both cases, the meters can only be opened by Sibelga.

• To have your meters opened, you must have a valid contract with an energy supplier. When you sign your contract, the supplier gives you the EAN code(s) of your new home. You can make an appointment with Sibelga at the earliest 48 hours after signing your contract.
   
• Are they new meters that have to be opened, or were the meters closed because of major works? In these two cases you must have a test certificate for the indoor installation. For electricity, this test has to be carried out by an inspection body. For gas this can also be done via an inspection body, unless your gas system has been installed by a recognised Cerga fitter.

Once these conditions – contract and test certificate – have been fulfilled, you can call Sibelga customer services on 02 549 41 00 to make an appointment. Have your EAN codes to hand when you phone. The day before the technician’s visit you can call 0800 944 99 to find out what time you should expect the visit (within a two-hour period).

How much does this cost?

Opening the meter costs EUR 114,95 (2021 rates, including 21% VAT). Sibelga invoices this cost to your supplier, who passes it on in your bill. 
An adult with an identity card must be present and the technician must have access to the meters and the house. This is so that if necessary he can check that the energy supply is in order, for instance by testing your gas cooker.

A good tip...

If no-one from Sibelga has been to your home, make sure you leave the seal on the meters intact and do not use energy without a supply contract. Both these things can prove expensive for you. In the event of illegal use, Sibelga will invoice consumption at a rate that is higher than the market price. Moreover, there is a fine for broken seals and you run the risk that Sibelga may close the meters.