-1-600x338.png?2026-07-14T07:11:31.919Z)
EBO guidance that pays for itself
Use your EBO as a guide for your energy investments
The Energy Policy Agreement (EBO) is a voluntary commitment between companies in Flanders and the Flemish Government to structurally improve energy efficiency. It also offers an opportunity to better align your energy policy, investment plans and climate ambitions.
With EBO3 approaching, now is the ideal time to look beyond individual energy-saving measures. By combining energy efficiency with electrification, renewable energy and future investments, companies can develop an integrated approach that not only reduces energy consumption but also strengthens their competitiveness.
This means making choices regarding, amongst other things:
- the electrification of processes;
- renewable energy, such as solar panels or wind power;
- waste heat recovery;
- CO₂ reduction and climate roadmaps;
- energy management and ISO 50001;
- strategic investments with a demonstrable business case.
On 17 July 2026, the Flemish Government approved the concept note for the continuation of the Energy Policy Agreements (EBO). An agreement has since been reached between the parties involved on the draft text of EBO3 and its accompanying annexes. Final approval is expected in the first half of December 2026.
According to the draft text, EBO3 is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027. Companies are expected to be able to join following final approval, with 31 March 2027 as the deadline for regular participation.
The EBO can therefore become an ideal tool for bringing all your energy projects together into one clear roadmap. Not only to meet the commitments under the EBO, but above all to determine which investments will deliver the greatest value for your business in the years ahead.
Is my company eligible for the EBO?
From 2027, energy-intensive sites in Flanders with an average annual final energy consumption of at least 23.6 GWh will be eligible for the Flemish Energy Policy Agreements (EBO). This consumption is calculated based on the average over the previous three years.
The proposed threshold will therefore decrease from 0.1 PJ to 0.085 PJ. As a result, sites with an average annual final energy consumption of between 23.6 and 27.8 GWh will also become eligible.
The proposed EBO threshold also aligns with the threshold for the Energy Management System (EMS) requirement. Although participation in the EBO remains voluntary, joining may also help companies consuming at least 0.085 PJ meet their energy management obligations, provided the applicable conditions are met.
Participation in the EBO is voluntary. However, companies that choose to join commit to fulfilling the obligations and commitments associated with the agreement.
Also relevant in the event of grid congestion
Participation in the EBO may also offer an advantage when grid capacity becomes a bottleneck. Under the proposed Flemish prioritisation framework for grid congestion areas, EBO participants could receive priority for mandatory measures requiring an upgrade to their grid connection.
This could, for example, be relevant when measures included in an energy plan require additional electrical capacity, such as the electrification of industrial processes.
Depending on the final regulations and applicable conditions, participation in the EBO could therefore also offer an advantage when prioritising certain grid upgrades needed to implement energy-saving measures.
A report alone does not bring about change
Many companies already have energy audits, previous EBO plans and extensive measurement data at their disposal. Yet a significant proportion of proposed measures ultimately remain unimplemented.
The biggest challenge often lies not in identifying new energy-saving opportunities, but in answering questions such as:
- Which energy measures offer the greatest financial and environmental return today?
- Which investments are technically feasible without disrupting business operations?
- How can we align electrification, renewable energy, battery storage and flexibility?
- How do grid capacity and connection conditions affect our investment plans?
- How can we translate these opportunities into a realistic roadmap aligned with our business strategy and available budget?
A well-developed EBO energy plan helps answer these questions. It supports informed decision-making and provides the foundation for a realistic investment strategy.
That is why Encon takes a different approach
At Encon, we do not develop an EBO energy plan simply to complete a compliance exercise. Instead, we use the process to work with your organisation to develop a strategic investment roadmap.
We build on the knowledge and expertise already available within your organisation. We analyse existing audits and energy plans, engage with production, maintenance and technical teams, and identify the opportunities with the greatest potential. Our approach is grounded in operational reality rather than theory.
Our consultants support you not only in developing the energy plan but, if desired, also in turning it into concrete projects. This helps ensure that proposed measures do not remain on paper but lead to tangible results and measurable returns.
What can you expect from Encon?
- One partner for studies, guidance and implementation support.
- Expertise in energy, CO₂ reduction and energy management.
- Experience in industrial heating, cooling and electrification.
- Support with renewable energy, wind power and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- A pragmatic approach that puts financial returns and technical feasibility at the heart of every decision.
Our guiding principle is clear: an EBO project should deliver more than an approved energy plan. We aim to ensure that the value of our guidance significantly outweighs its cost through energy savings, targeted investments and a future-proof energy strategy.
