De Haan wants to tackle energy bill residents

Such a switch does mean a financial loss for the municipality itself. But neighboring municipalities of Ostend and Bredene could help, says mayor Wilfried Vandaele.

The price you pay for electricity is more than just the cost of pure energy. A portion of that price also goes to the organization that manages the gas and electricity pipelines. The distribution network operator. The municipality of De Haan wants to change, from Gaselwest to Imewo. That saves an average customer 40 euros per year.

“Gaselwest is actually quite expensive for the consumer, but it generates a lot of money for the municipalities. We now have the opportunity to switch to another distribution system operator, Imewo. Imewo is cheaper for the customer. We want to give the residents that pleasure, that their bill is a little lower. But it is less profitable for the municipality. In six years we will miss 800,000 euros in dividends, “says the mayor.

To help bear half of that loss, De Haan is looking at neighboring municipalities of Bredene and Ostend. They are now affiliated with Imewo, but are on an island, and that is actually not possible. If De Haan leaves Gaselwest, they too will benefit.