Elia could turn to electricity reserves as temperatures drop

With weather forecasts of temperatures this week hovering around freezing point, electricity provider Elia is facing the possibility of having to use its reserves to meet market demand. “These are tense times,” a spokesperson said.

Elia provides electricity to Belgium and France, but, while Belgian homes tend to be heated by gas or fuel oil, the French lean more heavily towards electricity. When temperatures drop, demand goes up, which puts pressure on the total supply.

Elia has never before broken into its strategic reserves. The capacity of 750 megawatts (MW) comes from two gas-powered generators, in Vilvoorde and Seraing in Wallonia, and is intended to provide a buffer when there is a structural shortage. Earlier this week, federal energy minister Marie-Christine Marghem said she would increase the reserve for next winter to 900 MW.

Elia stressed there was no danger of power cuts or any switch-off plan drawn up last year, where certain parts of the country would see their power cut for short periods to keep demand under control.

For those affected by the cold, Elia offered some tips: keep animals indoors, avoid alcohol and keep an eye on elderly neighbours. For the car, it advises drivers to park in gear and not rely solely on the handbrake.

Photo: Ad Meskens/Wikimedia