Brussels residents who pre-financed renovations and energy-saving works will now have to wait until at least January 2025 to recover part of the cost through the region's 'Renolution' premium, which has become a victim of its own success.
The Brussels-Capital Region introduced the 'Renolution' premiums in 2022, merging the separate energy and renovation premiums that previously existed. The aim was to speed up the necessary renovation of Brussels buildings to reduce their energy consumption and thereby combat climate change. The system allows Brussels residents to recover part of the cost of the renovation and energy-saving works after they are carried out.
The budget for this purpose increased from €22 million in 2019 (under the fragmented premium system) to €69 million in 2024. The number of applications also rose sharply. The allocated budget was exceeded and topped up three times during 2023. Some Brussels residents, who pre-financed the works, had to wait a long time for a payment after applying.
The Region has now announced that the 2024 budget has been completely exhausted. "The budget of €69 million has since been paid out almost in full for the premium applications received since the beginning of this year," outgoing Environment Minister Alain Maron (Ecolo) said.
Temporary stop for new applications
Residents still applying for a grant will have to wait until January 2025 to be reimbursed. "People who have already applied for subsidies will be informed by letter what this means for their application," a statement from Maron read.
"We are aware that this situation may be difficult for Brussels residents who have started the works and who have already made payments for this with the expectation that they would receive a grant to cover part of the cost of this investment."
Additionally, new applications will be paused from mid-August "pending a decision by the future Brussels Government on the allocation of additional budget resources," as the outgoing government cannot carry out the necessary budget transfers.
However, people carrying out energy-saving works have 12 months to apply for the grant from the date of the last invoice for the balance of the works.
