In Wallonia, Electrabel is responsible for the technical operation, maintenance and development of electricity and natural gas distribution networks. It carries out these tasks on behalf of distribution system operators, appointed by the public authorities, in which the municipalities play a major part. The distribution system operators proceed entirely independently of the sales companies. In the course of 2008 the company will stop this activity.
In the course of 2006 the company stopped its network activities in Flanders and Brussels. In Flanders, since April 2006, the new company Eandis performs these tasks. In Brussels, on 1 July 2006, a new single operator was created: Brussels Network Operations. BNO took over electricity and natural gas distribution network operation activities in the Brussels region.
| Distribution system operator(s) | Execution of operational tasks on the demand of the system operators | Position Electrabel | |
| Flanders | Mixed intermunicipal companies: Gaselwest, IGAO, IMEA, Imewo, Intergem, Iveka, Iverlek, Sibelgas | Eandis (single operator) | 30 % share in the mixed intermunicipal companies |
| Brussels | Mixed intermunicipal company: Sibelga | Brussels Network Operations (single operator) | 30 % share in Sibelga |
| Wallonia | Mixed intermunicipal companies: Gaselwest, Ideg, IGH, IEH, Interlux, Intermosane, Interest, Sedilec, Simogel | Electrabel Réseaux Wallonie | (variable) share in the mixed intermunicipal companies Networks operation |
In Belgium, the 380 kV to 26 kV electricity grid is operated by a separate company, Elia. This company acts as the transmission system operator, and is operationally independent. The natural gas grid is also operated by a separate company, Fluxys.
