An integrated vision of the energy system bringing together a mix of solutions.

At Fluxys, we transport the energy needed today while shaping tomorrow.

As an essential infrastructure partner, Fluxys Belgium is a key link in an efficient and reliable energy system. To help ensure robust security of supply, we are optimising and strengthening our infrastructure so that it remains open to as many sources as possible. For consumers, producers and suppliers.

At the same time, we are building the future: a sustainable future in which renewable and low-carbon molecules and electricity are best combined with the capture, reuse or storage of CO₂. Our infrastructure is laying the foundations for the energy market of tomorrow, starting today.

Our employees are at the heart of the proper functioning of the current energy system while also working towards its transformation.

Behind every project and every innovation, our teams make the difference.

A well-balanced energy mix and
a wide variety of
sources are crucial

Interview with our CEO and our Chairman

The conflict in the Middle East has once again put security of supply at the top of the agenda. What is Fluxys Belgium's view on this?

Pascal De Buck Our infrastructure provides access to all sources for the European market and serves as a hub for supplying North-West Europe. Last year, we once again exported substantial volumes to the Netherlands and Germany; volumes transported to Germany accounted for around a quarter of the country's consumption. However, suppliers have to be able to get those volumes here. The conflict in the Middle East and the complete cessation of flows from Russia are having a major impact on the energy market in the short term, both globally and particularly in Europe. All aspects of security of supply, including the security of facilities, have indeed been affected in Europe. On top of that, industry's competitiveness is facing additional pressure. Geopolitical developments are once again demonstrating just how crucial it is to have a well-balanced energy mix and a wide variety of sources.

Industry's competitiveness is indeed under considerable pressure. What action is Fluxys Belgium taking?

Pascal De Buck We do everything we can to keep our tariffs as low as possible, and with great success: our natural gas transmission tariffs are three to seven times lower than in neighbouring countries. Thanks to these competitive tariffs, we attract considerable transit flows heading abroad and the revenue from this builds up a buffer to ensure that our tariffs remain competitive in the future. We're also supporting industry with regard to the necessary hydrogen and CO₂ infrastructure. That's why we began gradually constructing the initial infrastructure between Ghent and Antwerp and in the Antwerp port area in 2025. Incidentally, by the end of 2026 we'll be connecting the first green hydrogen production facility in Zeebrugge to our network.

Andries Gryffroy Recent geopolitical events have given rise to additional uncertainty, so when it comes to our natural gas infrastructure activities it's more important than ever that we can continue drawing on the buffer we've built up, as set out in the regulatory framework, to support our investments and tariffs for the market and to mitigate the potential impact on the use of our infrastructure. We're also aiming to offer the lowest possible tariffs for hydrogen and CO₂ infrastructure with a view to making connection to this infrastructure feasible for the first companies wanting to take the plunge. The countries around us already have models to mitigate risks during the market development phase.

We're working with the public authorities and regulators to establish a suitable legal and regulatory framework. Among other things, this framework must offer a solution to the shortfall in revenue during the start-up period, when only a limited number of customers are using the infrastructure.

Keep the focus on the energy system as a whole and on the long term."

Pascal De Buck
Managing Director and CEO

Geopolitical developments are also impacting the energy transition. So, what's next?

Pascal De Buck The hydrogen market is struggling to gain traction, while the CO₂ market is now gathering momentum rapidly. It's a tough time for the energy transition at the moment but its timeframe differs from that of present geopolitical developments, which is why it's more important than ever to keep the long term in mind.

How do we ensure that everyone has the energy they need at all times? And how do we do that in a system that is climate-neutral at the lowest possible cost? The only way to keep all these elements in balance is to take the energy system as a whole as a starting point, and that's our focus. There's no miracle solution, and we have to come up with the best possible combination of everything that contributes to this goal in a technology-neutral way: renewable and low-carbon electricity and molecules alongside carbon capture and storage or reuse. And we have to do all of this while remaining in step with the market. Stability and legal certainty within the policy framework are vital for making investment decisions during the transition to climate neutrality.

Andries Gryffroy We're fully committed to this integrated approach by working closely and intensely with all stakeholders. We're teaming up with Elia to draw up our investment programmes based on common scenarios. At the same time, we're joining forces with distribution system operators and coordinating with other transmission system operators in neighbouring countries, as well as collaborating with a range of research institutions. We're continuing to investigate which combination of electricity and molecules yields the best results for society.

And just as with our natural gas infrastructure today, we're also aiming for maximum diversification with our hydrogen and CO₂ infrastructure, being open to the most diverse inflow of hydrogen possible as well as to a wide range of removal options for CO₂.

Given the many sources of instability, how is Fluxys Belgium looking ahead?

Pascal De Buck Over the past few years, our staff have time and again demonstrated how quickly they can adapt and how agilely they can respond to new situations. Combined with the expertise they bring to the table and their ability to build bridges, this fosters a dynamic within the company that gives me confidence in the future.

Andries Gryffroy We adopt a measured approach where necessary and step things up where momentum builds. Amidst the flurry of developments, we're sticking to our long-term strategy whilst responding to market signals.

We adopt a measured approach where necessary and step things up where momentum builds."

Andries Gryffroy
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Fluxys Belgium in a nutshell