Electricity and Home Appliances in Belgium

Information on the Belgian domestic power available, wall socket plugs and voltage of kitchen and living room (fridges, TVs) appliances.

More than 50 percent of Belgium's electricity is generated by seven nuclear reactors in the country. Most Belgian electricity is produced by Electrabel. A small amount of electricity is also produced by SPE.

Electricity and gas companies in Belgium are regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Electricity and Gas (La Commission de Regulation de l'Electricite et du Gaz). The commission fulfils two roles: it makes sure laws and regulations are adhered to, and it also acts in an advisory capacity to public authorities. The Belgian electricity market was deregulated in January 2007, giving consumers the opportunity to choose between suppliers.

Main Electricity Providers

Electrabel
At: Boulevard du Régent 8, 1000 Brussels
Tel: 02 518 61 11 / 02 518 64 00
Customer Services Tel: 07 835 33 33
Website
City Power SPE
At: Boulevard du Régent 47, 1000 Brussels
Tel: 07 815 40 50
Website
Sibelga
At: Chaussée d'Ixelles 133, 1050 Brussels
Tel: 02 549 41 00
Website

Power

The voltage in Belgium is 230V - 50Hz.

Note: A country's available voltage is printed on the glass of a light bulb, or the light bulb packet.

Plugs

Belgium uses the standard European two-pin plug and socket.

For a diagram, see Type C

Appliances

Household appliances from a country with a different frequency and voltage (such as the United States, where it is 110 volts - 60 Hz) may need a transformer and/or adaptor in order to function properly (or at all). Appliances from the UK and elsewhere in Europe will work in Belgium without the need for a transformer although a plug adapter or change of plug is needed.

Television System

The transmission standard in Belgium is PAL. A non-PAL compatible television in Belgium will not receive a signal or be able to broadcast sound and picture.

There are three main television/video standards in use throughout the world.

NTSC - used in the USA, Canada, Japan and some other countries
PAL - used in most of Western Europe, Australasia and South Africa
SECAM - used in France and Eastern Europe

The three systems are not compatible with each other. It is not possible to watch television on an NTSC or SECAM appliance, or to use DVD or video players which are configured for these systems. Multi-standard TV, DVD or video equipment will be able to play a PAL (or NTSC) camcorder, DVD player or games console.