In Belgium, the 6.2 billion euros in dividends paid by Electrabel to Engie are causing debate

Belgium continues to worry about its electricity supply security, with experts predicting a 1 gigawatt deficit in 2026, particularly given the development of electrification of the vehicle fleet. A recent decision by Electrabel, a subsidiary of Engie and the country's largest electricity producer, added to the confusion at the end of April: the company decided to pay a dividend of €6.2 billion to its parent company. This has outraged opposition parties and worried members of the current ruling coalition, who question Engie's willingness to continue investing in the country, given that it is supposed to support its energy transition.

"It is normal for Engie to pursue a profitability objective, but it is a partner of the Belgian state in the extension of nuclear power, in particular. We must ensure that citizens have not been harmed," comments Marc Lejeune, MP for the centrist party Les Engagés, one of the five parties in the ruling coalition, led by Flemish nationalist Bart De Wever. Mr. Lejeune's party, like others, wanted a debate with the group on the origin of the transferred profits, the logic of this generous distribution of dividends and Engie's vision for the energy future of the kingdom . Hearings planned in the Chamber of Deputies on Tuesday, July 8, did not take place.

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