Tension surrounding the Compteur qui Tourne à l’Envers in Wallonia

The controversy surrounding Wallonia's upside-down meter is gaining momentum with Flemish Energy Minister Zuhal Demir filing an annulment appeal with the Council of State against the Walloon government's extension of the system until 2030. This measure enables owners of photovoltaic panels to receive compensation for the electricity they feed into the grid but do not use immediately.

The president of the BeProsumer association, Régis François, strongly supports the Walloon position, claiming that this decision is crucial for the personal economy of Walloon prosumers. "I hope the Walloon decree is solid!" he declares, stressing the importance of a robust legal basis to counter the Flemish appeal. Its main concern is to guarantee the current rights and benefits of photovoltaic panel owners.

He also criticizes the timing of this legal action, which comes just before the elections: "The timing is surprising when we're 50 days from the elections and the N-VA has just presented its heads of list in Wallonia... home to 350,000 photovoltaic panel owners who don't see their future with optimism, faced with repeated stalls and the taxes they suffer, not to mention this Flemish community action." Régis François suggests that the motivations may be more political than economic.

Despite the criticism, Régis François remains cautious but confident: "It's as if we were in a bad film. It's Flemish jealousy, because the Walloon system is more advantageous... But Wallonia has followed a European directive, which allows the use of the meter that runs backwards until December 31, 2030. Flanders has made a different political choice, and that's its business."

These comments highlight a divide between the two regions' energy policies. While Flanders abandoned this system in 2021 following a ruling by the Constitutional Court, Wallonia continues to apply it, offering panel owners the chance to make a return on their investment through compensation for energy injected but not consumed.

Zuhal Demir justifies her action by invoking constitutional fairness: "Why should the constitution be different for Wallonia? Why should Walloons benefit from financial advantages that have been taken away from Flemings?" she asks, highlighting the issue of fairness between Flemish and Walloon citizens.

The office of Wallonia's Minister of Energy, Philippe Henry, has taken note of the appeal, assuring us that the case has been properly prepared from a legal point of view. However, the outcome of this legal battle remains uncertain and could have major consequences for the region's energy transition. The final decision of the Council of State will be decisive for the future of the meter, which is running backwards in Wallonia.

Source

Our position

As a trusted installer of renewable energies in Wallonia, Soltis strongly supports the extension of the reversing meter system. This measure offers significant advantages to our customers:

1. Customer benefits: This system enables customers to recoup their investment by receiving compensation for the electricity they feed into the grid.
2. Market stability: The extension would bring a degree of stability to the solar panel market, encouraging further investment.
3. Support for energy transition: The system encourages self-consumption and the production of renewable energy, thus contributing to the energy transition in Wallonia.

However, we also recognize the uncertainties and concerns that accompany this decision. We remain vigilant about future developments and hope for a favorable resolution that supports both our customers and our collective efforts for a greener energy future.

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