A report by the Energy Directorate warns that there could be electricity shortages, starting in 2014. According to the Belgian Federation for the Technological Industry “Agoria”, this is due to a lack of investment in conventional power plants such as coal or gas-fired plants. The latter estimated that investments totaling €3 billion for conventional power plants are currently on hold due to uncertainty surrounding Belgium’s energy policy.
Moreover, banks are mindful of the implications Basel III’s liquidity requirements will have on their energy loans, given the long-term nature of financing these type of projects. Common ground will have to be found to bridge this gap and allow for the needed funding.