Failure of natural gas supply
Such a failure cannot be resolved by the usual market mechanisms. In this case, the measures provided for in the federal emergency plan for natural gas supply are activated, such as declaring a state of alert or emergency.
What can you do?
BEFORE
Avoid wasting energy. This limits the risk of gas shortages:
- Insulate your home properly.
- Keep an eye on your hot water consumption.
- Set the thermostat one degree lower.
DURING
- The authorities will ask you to reduce your gas consumption, for example by limiting hot water or turning down the thermostat if you heat with gas.
- Part of our electricity also comes from natural gas. The authorities may therefore request that you reduce electricity consumption.
- Limit the use of electrical appliances.
- Wash at low temperatures.
- Hang out your washing rather than using a tumble dryer.
AFTER
Avoid wasting energy. That way, you reduce the risk of future natural gas shortages and CO2 emissions.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe a extreme failure in the supply of natural gas. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
- A failure affects the whole country for at least 2 weeks.
- Extensive emergency measures are needed to deal with the shortage.
- There is a cross-border impact, as the solidarity of neighbouring EU countries is called upon in situations like these.
How should you interpret these results?
Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results.
Probability
Weak
Human impact
Weak
Societal impact
Strong
Environmental impact
No impact
Financial impact
Moderate
What do the authorities do?
The FPS Economy continually monitors the supply of natural gas in Belgium, taking into account political developments and weather conditions. This is in collaboration with Fluxys (the Belgian gas grid operator), the European Commission and neighbouring countries.
In the event of supply problems, there will be a significant impact on society. That is why a national emergency plan has been drawn up, covering a range of measures.
Belgium can import natural gas, but it also has two other ways of dealing with shortages: underground gas storage at Loenhout and the gas pipeline network. At the European level, countries and gas network operators coordinate their activities. This allows Fluxys, if necessary, to take market measures to guarantee supply.
If these measures are inadequate, additional emergency measures can be put in place. One of the most important of these is the solidarity mechanism between European countries, which means that Belgium can ask neighbouring countries for help in supplying natural gas to households, essential social services and other groups covered by the solidarity mechanism. This gas can only be used for these protected groups. Other sectors, such as industry, are not included in this measure.