Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium
What do I do if I am a homeowner or tenant residing in the
Brussels Capital region and want to make my home more comfortable and
healthier while reducing my energy bill?
First of all, I get a personalised advice from independent energy
advisor who will help me to identify and prioritise measures with the
biggest energy saving potential while targeting ambitious energy saving
goals. The region has opened a ‘Energy House’ – an
independent energy advice centre which provide households with
technical, administrative and financial advice related to ambitious
energy retrofitting. Moreover, during a free house visit, advisors can
also implement easy-to-do and free of charge measures such as insulate a
window or door frame, replace a shower head, put insulation on a
boiler.
Second, if my energy retrofit works (insulation, ventilation, heating
system) meet ambitious energy objectives set by the region, I am
eligible for ‘energy grants’ which can in some cases reach up to 30% of
investment costs. Between January and September 2016, the region has
already treated nearly 9000 applications and the budget of 22 million
EUR is already approved for this purpose for 2017!
Third, I am also eligible for a ‘renovation grant’
which can finance any works related to building renovation such as
scaffolding, façade, renovation of electrical system, etc.. Depending on
my revenues, I can receive smaller grant (if my revenues are high) or
bigger grant (if my revenues are small). Combined with the ‘energy
grant’, I can finance up to 50% of my investment via grants!
Finally,
let’s imagine I do not have enough money on my bank account to be able
to pay all the invoices at once. Well, I am lucky because I can apply
for the Brussels Green Loan! I can get a loan of between 500 EUR and 25,000 EUR.
I have a choice between a short-term ‘consumer credit’ with an interest
rate between 0 or1% which I have to reimburse until up to 10 years or a
long-term ‘mortgage’ with interest rate between 0 to2% that needs to be
reimbursed within max. 30 years. Interest rates will again depend on my
revenues but are in every case very advantageous comparing to standard
market conditions.
La dolce vita for Brussels citizens!
Everything was made possible thanks to strong political will of the
Brussels Capital Region and innovative and trustful partnerships
established between the Brussels Environment - the environment and energy administration of the Brussels-Capital Region, Energy Houses, the financial cooperative CREDAL and the regional housing association - Le Fonds du Logement (The Housing Fund).
More info on the Brussels Green Loan (in French and Dutch): http://www.maisonenergiehuis.be/fr/pret-vert-bruxellois
© illustration : http://www.maisonenergiehuis.be
Useful materials
| Brussels Capital Region at a glance |
The Brussels Capital Region (Belgium) is an
urban area consisting of 19 municipalities and 1,138,854 inhabitants. By
signing the Covenant of Mayors, the Brussels-Capital Region has
committed itself to reduce its CO2 emissions by 20% by 2020. The Region
strives to be among the leading European and world metropolis with
regard to sustainable urban management. To meet this challenge, the
Brussels-Capital Region decided to launch several economic incentives
such as subsidies (Energy grants, Green Certificates for RES, Brussels
Green Loan,) and some innovative initiatives such as “Exemplary
Buildings Action”.
The Energy grants scheme is financed by a gradual levy related to the
consumption of the clients of gas and electricity providers. The value
increased from €1 million in 2004 to €22 million today. This scheme aims
to finance extra-costs of the high energy standard investments while
taking into account the social situation of the households.
IBGE or ‘Brussels Environment’ is the administration responsible for
environment and energy management in the Brussels-Capital Region and
also for upgrading the existing soft loan financing scheme - The
Brussels Green Loan - in the framework of the INFINITE SOLUTIONS
project. |
| Who is implementing the soft loan financing scheme in Brussels Capital? |
Core team |
| How is the financing scheme implemented? |
Local Study / Action Plan
Business Model |
| Who backs the scheme at the political level? |
City Council Decision on the establishment of the financing scheme |
| Local communication / marketing tools for the scheme beneficiaries |
The Brussels Green Loan website |
| Training materials (in French and Dutch) |
Presentations on the Brussels Green Loan |
More information about the Brussels Capital, IBGE, their partners and activities:
Brussels Environment - IBGE (Fr – Nl)
The Brussels Green Loan (Fr-Nl)
The Energy House (Fr- Nl)
CREDAL (Fr-Nl)
