What is the distribution rate?
Every time you turn on a light or your water heater kicks in, you are not only paying for the energy you consume. A significant part of your electricity bill is related to the delivery of that electricity: it is the distribution rate, charged by network managers (Ores, Resa, AIEG, AIESH…).
Today, this rate represents about 25% of your total bill. And it is not likely to decrease. You must also add: transportation, taxes, and energy.
What the CWaPE has approved for 2026-2029
The CWaPE, the Walloon regulator of the energy market, has approved new rates for the years 2026 to 2029. The numbers speak for themselves:
- +8% starting in 2026 compared to 2025
- +13% by 2029
- For a average family, this represents €39 extra per year in 2029 (compared to 2025),just in distribution fees
Why this increase?
Several reasons explain this increase:
- Massive deployment of smart meters
- General indexing of network management costs
- Investments to adapt the grid to green electricity and new uses
In other words, even if you produce your own electricity with solar panels, you will still be affected by this increase, as you use the grid (for example, when you inject your surplus or consume outside of production periods).
New bi-hourly schedule in 2026
Starting January 1, 2026, the new time slots for the bi-hourly rate will come into effect:
- End of the distinction week/weekend
- Addition of a low consumption period during the day (from 11 AM to 5 PM)
This change will impact the consumption behavior of households, but few households can actually adjust their consumption to these times.
What you can do concretey
The increase in distribution rates is inevitable. But you can reduce its impact :
- Maximize your self-consumption: the more you directly consume your solar production, the less you pay in network fees.
- Install an intelligent management system like Soliseco: which directs your photovoltaic surplus to a useful use, such as heating water.
- Avoid losses and unnecessary injections: injected electricity is increasingly often valued at zero cost and even negative cost at certain times for dynamic rates.
Soliseco helps you offset this increase by locally valuing your production, without depending on the grid.
In conclusion
Between the prosumer rate and the increase in distribution costs, owners of photovoltaic panels need to rethink their strategy. The time when "producing = saving" without effort is over.
With Soliseco, you take back control: every kWh produced is used intelligently, at home, for you.