Belgium will receive €450 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to modernise Wallonia’s electricity distribution network as the region accelerates the transition to renewable energy and electrification.

The funding, announced this week, supports an unprecedented scale-up of investment in distribution infrastructure to accommodate growing volumes of renewable energy and rising demand from electric mobility, heating and industrial processes. It marks the second major loan from the EIB to ORES, Wallonia’s main electricity and gas distribution operator, following a €550 million financing package signed in 2018. With this new loan, EIB support for the region’s grid modernisation reaches €1 billion.

Belgium’s greenhouse gas emissions continue to fall, but not fast enough to meet the country’s 2050 climate neutrality target. According to an analysis published in early November by the Federal Public Service for Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, the pace of decarbonisation must double to stay on track.

Despite this challenge, progress is visible across several sectors. Both households and businesses have been increasingly replacing fossil fuels with low-carbon, mostly electric, alternatives. This shift—combined with the rapid rollout of renewable energy, energy storage and battery parks—places unprecedented pressure on the electricity grid.

Distribution networks must now accommodate fluctuating renewable production while supporting widespread electrification in homes and industries. As a result, grid reinforcement has become central to the success of Belgium’s climate strategy.

A Strategic partnership supporting grid expansion

The new €450 million EIB loan will finance ORES’ 2025–2027 investment programme, which is accelerating sharply. The funds will be used for:

• Construction of new substations

• Renewal of overhead lines

• Reinforcement of underground cables

• Deployment of smart meters

• Automation of the grid to support renewable energy integration and electric mobility

These upgrades will be carried out across the provinces of Hainaut, Namur, Walloon Brabant, Luxembourg (BE), and Liège. The financing, offered under particularly favourable conditions thanks to the EIB’s AAA rating, will be deployed over two years and repaid over up to 20 years at fixed or variable rates.

Leaders welcome key support for Wallonia’s energy future

Fernand Grifnée, Chairman of the ORES Management Committee, welcomed the strengthened partnership: “This second EIB loan is a renewed vote of confidence from the European Union. It confirms the relevance of our strategy, the financial robustness of our company and the quality of our governance. Today’s investments lay the foundations for sustainable growth tomorrow, benefiting Wallonia, its municipalities and its citizens.”

Robert de Groot, EIB Vice-President, emphasised the strategic importance of the project: “Security of supply and access to affordable energy are fundamental needs. Modernising ORES’ infrastructure is essential for guaranteeing these conditions during the ecological transition. This EIB financing will enable the necessary investments to ensure a safe and affordable electricity supply for citizens and businesses.”