Belgium approves the 2026 rules for the capacity remuneration mechanism

King Philippe signed, on August 5, 2026, a royal decree amending the royal decree of May 30, 2021, approving the operating rules of the capacity remuneration mechanism (CRM). The text, referenced [C-2026/006449], is published in the Belgian Official Gazette of September 7, 2026, page 48290, and approves the 2026 CRM operating rules, attached in Annex 6.

The decree completes Article 2 of the royal decree of May 30, 2021, as amended by the royal decree of July 4, 2025, by adding a paragraph specifying that “the 2026 Operating Rules of the capacity remuneration mechanism, attached to this decree in Annex 6, are approved.” It enters into force on the day of its publication in the Belgian Official Gazette.

A multi-step consultation and validation process

The adoption of these rules falls under Article 7undecies, § 12, of the law of April 29, 1999, relating to the organization of the electricity market. The process involved several actors:

• SA Elia Transmission Belgium, the transmission system operator, which submitted its proposed rules on February 1, 2026, following a prior consultation of market participants from November 21, 2025, to January 5, 2026;
• the Electricity and Gas Regulatory Commission (CREG), which adopted its decision fixing the rules, referenced (B) 3167, on May 12, 2026, after a consultation of market participants from March 19 to April 9, 2026;
• the Finance Inspector, who issued their opinion on July 15, 2026.

The text is signed by the King and countersigned by the Minister of Energy, Mr. BIHET, who is responsible for the execution of the decree.

The CRM, a pillar of security of supply

The capacity remuneration mechanism (CRM) is a central component of Belgian energy policy. It aims to guarantee the security of electricity supply by remunerating available production and storage capacities, beyond the energy actually produced. The 2026 operating rules, version 6 dated May 12, 2026, describe in detail the methodologies, rules, and principles of the mechanism, including:

• the pre-qualification procedures for capacities (standard, Fast Track, and specific);
• the organization of auctions (Y-4, Y-2, and Y-1);
• the functioning of the secondary market and financial guarantees;
• availability obligations and associated penalties;
• the cross-border participation of foreign capacities.

Immediate scope for market participants

The Royal Decree of August 5, 2026, published on September 7, 2026, enters into force upon its publication. The 2026 CRM operating rules therefore apply immediately to producers, storage operators, and other actors in the Belgian electricity market, who must comply with them to participate in the upcoming capacity auctions. This approval confirms the regulatory framework intended to ensure the reliability and security of the country’s electricity supply for the years to come.

Source: Belgian Official Gazette of September 7, 2026, p. 48290 — Royal Decree of August 5, 2026, amending the Royal Decree of May 30, 2021, approving the operating rules of the capacity remuneration mechanism, reference [C-2026/006449].