Eandis is an energy network company that operates in 234 Flemish municipalities, or 80% of the region. It is 79% owned by the municipalities themselves, with the remaining 21% owned by Electrabel – a share that Electrabel will divest by 2018, according to a Flemish government decree.

In 2015, Eandis will become the responsibility of the Flemish government. Van den Bossche also criticised the return of 6-7% on investment paid by Eandis to its shareholders, for what she said is a virtually risk-free investment. Eandis paid out a total of €169 million in dividends in 2011, while its smaller counterpart Infrax paid €89.7 million. That, according to Van den Bossche, represents money taken from Flemish customers and paid into the municipal coffers.

The Association of Flemish Cities and Municipalities (VVSG) nuanced the figures, pointing out that the dividends represent to customers 3.3% of their electricity bill and 4.5% of the gas bill. By contrast, VAT on energy bills, which goes to the government, amounts to 18.3% and 18.7% of the bills respectively.

Eandis made a turnover last year of €1.3 billion, and a spokesman said publicity and hospitality – Eandis sponsors the Waregem Koerse, a series of horse races, and regularly books business seats at events such as football matches – amounts to €1.2 million, or one-thousandth of the company’s total income. Almost the same amount, €1 million, is spent on the magazine provided three times a year to customers across Flanders. The company’s costs, the spokesman said, had all been inspected by the energy regulator and approved.