On 1st November 2025, Belgium will enter a new era of energy security, with the official start of the first delivery period of the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM). This mechanism is a cornerstone of Belgium’s evolving energy strategy, playing a crucial role in the long-term security of supply.
What is the CRM?
The Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) is an initiative launched by the Belgian federal government to ensure the country's security of electricity supply, especially during critical periods of high demand or reduced generation.
As our electricity system increasingly relies on renewable but intermittent energy sources (such as wind and solar), the risk of capacity shortages during peak hours becomes more significant. The CRM addresses this by organizing competitive auctions, where electricity producers and flexibility providers commit to making their capacity available in the future. In return, they receive remuneration for this commitment, providing financial incentives to invest in a capacity that may only be used occasionally.
The first auction was held in 2021 for a delivery period starting in 2025, and after several years of design, implementation, and regulatory oversight, the first delivery will officially begin on 1st November 2025.
This marks a turning point in the Belgian energy landscape: for the first time, the country will be operating with a structured market-based capacity mechanism, aligning market signals with grid reliability needs and supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.
Avertim’s Involvement
Since 2021, Avertim has been actively involved in the preparation and implementation of the CRM, working closely with stakeholders on the design and deployment of the necessary processes, systems, and organizational capabilities.
Approximately 10 Avertim consultants have contributed to the project, taking on roles across operations, market design, business analysis, process design, system implementation, project management, and PMO. Their work has supported the set-up and continuous improvement of CRM operations, including several auction cycles, regulatory updates, and the preparation leading up to the first delivery phase and beyond.
Being part of the CRM implementation has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my consulting journey so far. Supporting the auction process and helping implement the availability monitoring tools pushed me to grow through both technical problem-solving and cross-functional teamwork. Collaborating with passionate experts to bring such a complex mechanism to life gave real meaning to our work, and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team!
Louis-Philippe Julien - Senior Lead Consultant
Beyond the immediate operational impact, Avertim’s involvement in this project is a concrete contribution to the energy transition. By supporting the implementation of mechanisms that facilitate investment in clean and flexible capacity, we are actively participating in the shift toward a more resilient and sustainable energy system.
Avertim is proud to be part of this critical project. Our involvement in the CRM initiative demonstrates our ability to support strategic transformation projects in the energy sector, projects that serve both the market and society at large.
Looking ahead
As Belgium’s energy landscape continues to evolve rapidly, the energy markets will face increasing complexity, driven by challenges such as ensuring adequacy, enabling flexibility, and integrating renewables. Avertim is committed to supporting our clients through these developments, helping them navigate and shape these transformations.
