Belgian grid operator enters final phase of digital meter rollout

Grid operator Fluvius says that 80% of all homes, apartments and small businesses in the Belgian region of Flanders, including 89% of all solar panel owners, have now converted to digital meters as the company begins the final phase of the mandatory switch over.

Image: Fluvius

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Belgian grid operator Fluvius says it is launching the final phase of a digital meter switchover in the region of Flanders.

The Flemish government started requiring smart meter installations for rooftop solar in 2021 as part of a mandatory rollout for all households. As of September this year, it said it had installed the devices at the homes of 81% of residential solar owners. 

According to the most recent figures, 89% of solar panel owners, representing 925,000 homes, apartments and small businesses have now been converted to smart meters. In total, 80% of Flemish customers have now made the switch, representing 2.95 million electricity meters.

Fluvius’ latest update says it will begin installing the final 20% of digital energy meters in Flanders, representing around 1.25 million electricity and gas meters combined, in early 2026.

These customers, who do not own solar panels, have a higher proportion of older connections that often require additional renovations, meaning the last phase of works is scheduled to take until mid-2029.

Fluvius adds that there are 58,000 remaining homes, apartments and small businesses with solar panels still to receive a digital meter, down from 403,000 in early 2025.

This figure includes 20,000 customers who are eligible for a retroactive investment grant as their panels were installed between 2014 and the end of 2020. An average installation could benefit from a grant between €1,000 ($1.168.08) and €2,000, with the deadline to apply for the grant set for the end of this year.

The mandatory rollout comes as Flanders’ residential solar market shifts to a subsidy-free model. The region ended incentives for new rooftop solar installations and phased out net metering in 2024.

Belgium is projected to reach around 33.6 GW of installed PV capacity by the end of 2035, according to a new report from Belgian grid operator Elia.

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