Engie

ENGIE, Belgium’s top producer and historical supplier

ENGIE – formerlyENGIE Electrabel until 2019 – is a Belgian company involved in energy production and distribution. Although it now belongs to the French group ENGIE (hence its current name), its history is closely linked to that of Belgium as it initially had the monopoly for electricity distribution in the country. 

In 2007, the liberalisation of the energy market in Belgium opened the way for new suppliers to challenge ENGIE for the top place. However, ENGIE still retains a dominant position today.

As an energy producer, the company is involved in operating nuclear power plants and manages the sites at Tihange and Doel. It also manages several renewable energy production facilities, including a reservoir power station and some wind farms.

A brief history:

• 1905: creation of La Société d’Électricité de l’Escaut which became EBES several decades later
• 1990: merger of EBES, Intercom and Unerg to create Electrabel
• 2003: SUEZ becomes the majority shareholder of Electrabel
• 2007: SUEZ finalises the total acquisition of Electrabel
• 2008: SUEZ merges with GDF, forming the GDF SUEZ group
• 2015: GDF SUEZ is renamed ENGIE
• 2016: Electrabel changes its name and becomes ENGIE Electrabel.
• 2019: the transition to the new name is complete: ENGIE Electrabel becomes simply ENGIE, a limited company and subsidiary of the ENGIE Group

The customer can choose their preferred communication and billing method

In terms of customer service, ENGIE offers its customers several points of contact:

• Telephone
• Online chat
• Email

From an administrative point of view, customers can choose whether to receive their bills by post or by email. Regarding payment methods, they can choose between bank transfer or direct debit. Finally, for those who prefer to centralise their bills, it is also possible to pay via Zoomit. 

Note, however, that not all options are available for all products. Some deals, for example, do not include customer service by telephone.

In any event, customers can amend their preferences through the online customer space, which is accessible via the ENGIE website. They can also use this platform to manage their energy contracts if they move house.

A closer look at the different products

Is ENGIE the cheapest gas and electricity supplier? That depends on each person’s consumption criteria. A price comparison is the only way to tell, but ENGIE covers a wide spectrum and offers a number of products to address its customers’ various needs. The products are grouped into 5 ranges: Up, Easy, Easy 3, Direct and Drive.

It is important to note that discounts for new customers are often applicable when taking out contracts. These introductory offers are very advantageous but are always time-limited. It is therefore highly recommended that you compare your gas and/electricity prices once the promotion has ended.

✓ Up, an offer in line with the times

The Up range is the range that ENGIE features most prominently. It is a four-year,fixed-rate, green electricity deal. It can also include a natural gas deal. The main advantage of this deal is access to ENGIE’s Boxx technology. This uses smart sensors to allow the customer to manage their water and electricity consumption via a connected thermostat. 

This technology also lets you access your consumption report, control your heating remotely, be notified in the event of a water leak or if one of your household appliances starts behaving abnormally, etc. In return for access to this smart thermostat, you will have to pay a higher rate than the average rate for the other deals on the market.

✓ Easy, able to adapt to all needs

The Easy range is ENGIE’s standard range. It allows the customer to be flexible and create the deal they want: a one- or three-year deal, a fixed or variable rate, electricity and/or gas, etc.

✓ Easy 3, the three-year deal

The Easy 3 range offers nearly the same flexibility, except that the customer can only have a three-year contract. The Easy 3 rates are therefore noticeably cheaper than the Easy rates.

✓ Direct, an online offer for reduced rates

The Direct range is more limited in terms of options. It is a purely “online” contract. This means that the customer can only access the services offered on the ENGIE website. In addition, billing is only by email. The advantage of this deal is that the rates are cheaper than those of the other ENGIE products.

✓ Drive, for electric cars

Lastly, the Drive range is aimed specifically at owners of electric or hybrid cars.

You may be interested in ENGIE if:

• You prefer to deal with players who have a long and established track record
• You like being able to choose from a large number of products;
• You want not only an electricity supply but also solutions for managing your consumption more efficiently, such as Boxx, ENGIE’s smart thermostat.

For queries concerning rates, switching supplier or moving house: 0800 37 456

Contact ENGIE

Billing, threat of disconnection, pre-paid meter: