BELGIUM: Freight operator Lineas has announced the introduction of a dynamic energy surcharge from April 1, saying this will be a first for the rail sector and it anticipates that other operators will follow.
Lineas said such surcharges are common for other modes. ‘We cannot continue to be the only mode of transport that doesn’t pass on the rising energy costs’, said Chief Commercial Officer Lars Redeligx on March 18. ’This is surely true for privately owned businesses like us, but even for state-owned competitors, the solution cannot be that the taxpayer has to cover their rising energy bill. Therefore Lineas will apply a dynamic energy surcharge to be able to offer sustainable rail transport.’
Lineas said the EEX spot price per megawatt-hour had more than tripled compared to average prices in 2021, and diesel has also become significantly more expensive.
The surcharge will differ between domestic and international services, to account for differences in pricing models, but at a spot price of €300 per MWh the surcharge would range from 3·5% in the Netherlands to 8·1% in Germany. It will be reviewed on a monthly basis to take into account energy price developments and possible support from national authorities.
‘The introduction of an energy surcharge is long overdue in the rail industry’, said Redeligx. ’We are the greenest transport mode emitting 90% less CO2 compared to road transport and use six times less energy than the truck. Yet we are not immune to the explosion of energy costs. If we want to secure our societal mission and be able to continue serving our customers, we have to adopt an energy surcharge as is the practice in other sectors.’
