The capacity tariff is a way of calculating the grid costs on your electricity bill. In Flanders, it was introduced on 1 January 2023 by the energy regulator VREG.
In the past, grid costs were calculated solely on the basis of your total consumption. With the capacity tariff, your peak consumption also counts. It is not an extra cost in itself, but your bill may be higher if you use many appliances at the same time.
Why a capacity tariff?
Because of the energy transition and electric driving, demand for electricity is rising. The capacity tariff encourages you to spread your consumption, so that not everyone uses a lot of electricity at the same time and the grid does not become overloaded.
How is it calculated?
A digital meter measures your average power per quarter of an hour. Your highest quarter-hour consumption in a month is your monthly peak.
The average of your monthly peaks over the billing period determines part of your grid costs.
A minimum of 2.5 kW applies: if your average monthly peak is lower, you still pay on the basis of 2.5 kW.
If you still have an analogue meter, you pay a fixed amount corresponding to that minimum monthly peak of 2.5 kW.
If you have a digital meter, you can view your monthly peaks via mijn.fluvius.be.
What does this mean for charging your electric car?
If you charge your car at the same time as you are cooking, doing the laundry or heating, your peak rises. A few tips:
Spread your consumption, so that few heavy appliances are on at the same time.
Avoid the evening peak, when lighting, cooking, laundry and heating often coincide.
Use smart charging with peak shaving, so that your charging station stays below your highest monthly peak. More info: What are peak shaving and peak shifting?
You can find more tips in the article How can I keep my capacity tariff under control?
Read more on our blog: What is the capacity tariff?
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