The federal government has been negotiating budgets for next year and 2024 since last week. The negotiation on the tax on excess profits, a kind of crisis contribution from energy producers, is part of the discussions.
The proposal by Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) follows the decision of the European Council of Ministers on Friday to allow member states to plan such a mechanism. The European framework provides for an authorization to capture excess profits on nuclear, renewables and lignite generated beyond an income of 180 euros per megawatt/hour (MWh) from December 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. But freedom is left Member States to go further and provide for an even lower ceiling and a longer period.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo stressed to UGent on Tuesday that the tax on excess profits should be implemented before the end of winter. However, what form it should take is still part of the discussions, he said. “It is clear that it will be a heavy tax,” he said.