More and more people are struggling to pay their energy bills yet energy suppliers themselves have received no government request to help customers with payment problems.
While the government is looking to tackle the current energy crisis and skyrocketing household bills by taxing excess profits of energy companies, asking suppliers to help out customers is not an option currently on the table, according to reports from De Standaard.
Already it is known that some energy suppliers are experiencing financial difficulties of their own. Most often, companies who are recording monster profits are those able to produce energy without relying on expensive gas.
However, even energy supplier and producer Engie (which is the largest player in the Belgian market and made €2 billion in profits from its nuclear power stations) is not taking any additional measures despite being the producer with the cheapest production capacity in the country.
Some assistance already exists
Suppliers may not yet be making changes to assist customers but they do recognise the strain that households face. Mega, the supplier based in Liège, acknowledges that it remains difficult for customers because they have to continue to pay advances.
While Engie has said that customers who have problems with their final bill can ask for a one-year repayment plan, these customers too will stay face high costs for their advances.
Eneco also points to the existing possibility of a delayed instalment plan but added that additional measures are not on the table.
Marc Van Den Bosch, director of the federation of energy suppliers, has said that a meeting with the government and experts will take place next week, "but that will be about the issue of excess profits." The suppliers will also discuss the social rate issue, as it is costing some companies millions in pre-financing.
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Meanwhile, leaders from several Belgian banks met on Tuesday night to finalise a scheme to help families who are in need of assistance. These families can apply to temporarily pay only the interest on their mortgage.
However, bankers have also pointed out that "energy suppliers are the first affected party who should make efforts" for their customers who cannot pay their energy bills.
