Brussels Faces Key Choices on Electrification Target and Cleantech Support

Brussels is considering an electrification target for Europe’s economy that aims to deliver €200 billion in savings from fossil fuel imports by 2040. The draft plan now requires decisions on how to translate the target into concrete measures across the city and the wider region.

Why the Target Matters for Local Policy

The electrification goal arrives at a moment when clean energy technology investments globally exceeded spending on upstream oil and gas for the first time in 2025. Solar PV alone accounted for half of those clean energy investments. Brussels must decide how to align its own programmes with this shift while managing the transition for households and businesses.

Cleantech Sector and Airport Initiatives

The cleantech sector in Brussels has 40 percent of its companies founded in the last five years. These firms have drawn more than €135 million in investments and employ more than 1,000 people. At the same time, Brussels Airport is testing autonomous electric shuttles, solar panels and community energy projects through the EU-funded STARGATE project. Officials now face choices about how far to expand these pilots and whether to tie them directly to the electrification target.

Regulatory Adjustments Under Review

Brugel, the Brussels energy regulator, has proposed replacing green certificates for individual solar installations with an investment premium. Adjusted certificates for companies would remain in place from 2024. The regulator’s recommendation requires a decision on implementation timelines and on how the premium would interact with the broader electrification push.

Decisions Ahead for Implementation

City and regional authorities must now determine the pace of electrification measures, the level of support for the cleantech sector, and the final form of the solar incentive changes proposed by Brugel. These choices will shape how the €200 billion savings target is pursued in practice over the coming years.