The energy sector in Flanders consists mainly of:

• electricity companies,
• gas companies and
• petroleum refineries.

Also the former coal mining and cokes furnaces belong to the energy sector.

The activities of the energy sector cause environmental problems.In addition tothe use of primary energy sources (coal, petroleum, gas, nuclear fuel and renewable energy sources), the emission to ambient air mostly causes the environmental pressure of the enery sector. The rational use of energy, the reduction of energy transformation losses and the use of renewable energy sources can reduce the environmental pressure.

Since the energy consumption is the driving force for the activities of the energy sector, this chapter includes a general picture of the energy use in Flanders.

To gain insight on the possible developments in the coming decades, MIRA publishedthe Environmental Outlook 2030 by the end of 2009. This outlook contains3 scenarios for energy production,energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Flanders until 2030.