More people opposed to digital meters

Just like last year, the majority of Flemish people are neutral with regard to the digital meter to measure electricity and natural gas consumption (from 35 to 33 percent). It is striking that the share that is (very) negatively related to technology has increased considerably, from 22 percent last year to 30 percent this year. “It is especially difficult for solar panel owners,” explains VREG CEO Pieterjan Renier. “After all, the arrival of the digital meter means that the reverse counter will come to an end, which can mean a financial downer for some solar panel owners.”

The increase in the number of households that are opposed to the digital meter is therefore probably the result of the destruction of the principle of the reverse counter for owners of solar panels at the beginning of this year. In the meantime, the Flemish government has worked out a transitional arrangement: solar panel owners with an analog counter can refuse the digital meter until 2025.

The VREG also takes stock of energy prices in its report. As the surveys were conducted in June and July, the impact of the currently historically high energy prices is not yet reflected in the results.

In July, the electricity price for an average family rose by 15.4 percent on an annual basis (to 1,001.38 euros) and the price of natural gas by no less than 53.9 percent (to 1,380.25 euros). Because the prices were exceptionally low in corona year 2020, it is more correct, according to the VREG, to make a comparison with July 2019. In that case, the price increases amount to 7.2 and 26.7 percent respectively.

Finally, it appears that, in July, households were able to save an average of 180 euros on an annual basis by switching electricity supplier and even 273 euros on average by concluding a contract with another natural gas supplier.

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