⚡ High renewable production, high evening prices: what does that mean for a cold storage facility?

Energy price evolution

Figures are circulating on social media regarding days when solar and wind supply a very large share of Belgian electricity production. Fascinating, but not always interpreted correctly — and it says little about your bill. That is why the BE-Cold secretariat has compiled what *is* certain in a short member note 👇 📊 Solar and wind accounted for 37% of Belgian electricity production in 2025, just below nuclear energy. 📉 The electricity price dipped below zero for more than 520 hours last year — a record, according to the CREG, mainly due to the growth of solar energy. 🔀 Grid operator Elia expects price volatility to increase further and that flexibility will become more important. ❄️ This is relevant news for cold and frozen storage: our members are large consumers, produce their own electricity via solar and wind, and battery storage is gaining ground. Moreover, refrigeration possesses thermal mass — but *every* form of consumption shift remains within the legal temperature requirements for frozen foods. Food safety first. The memorandum contains a situational overview and seven concrete recommendations, from own quarter-hourly dates to contract indexation.