The federation polled 285 business users and found that prices have been rising constantly for the last six years. From being one of the cheapest countries in Europe shortly before the market was liberalised, Belgium is now one of the most expensive. The price different is most extreme for larger consumers, who use 100-150 gigawatts a year, because only Electrabel can supply such large quantities.

Some 80 companies are in that position, accounting for 25% of all electricity used in Belgium, and half of the industrial consumption. For smaller companies, meanwhile, using 10 gigawatts a year, Belgium was the only country in Europe last year where prices went up.

At the same time, Claes refused to rule out a possible legal action by Febeliec against Electrabel, which charged its customers for CO2 emissions for which it had received free rights from the government. The rail authority NMBS has already started an action.