Automation

Is a dynamic energy contract with smart control worth it?

Short answer

Yes, if you can shift your use. A dynamic contract charges a different price per hour or quarter hour, known a day ahead. In 2025 the average hourly price was around 8.26 cents per kWh according to Test-Achats.

Explanation

The price follows the wholesale market (EPEX SPOT). In the middle of sunny days power is sometimes almost free or even negative; in the evening it is more expensive. Smart control runs the water heater, washing machine or charger at cheap moments. In Flanders also keep the capacity tariff in mind.

Rules of thumb

Average hourly price 2025 according to Test-Achats: about 8.26 cents per kWh. [SW-S57]
Condition BE: digital meter and permission to pass on quarter-hour values. [SW-S57]
Price range 2025: from −462.33 to 517.57 €/MWh. [SW-S57]
According to the CREG (via Test-Achats), charging an electric car in the evening instead of the afternoon cost about € 152 more in 2025. [SW-S57]

Pitfalls

If you use a lot at expensive peak moments and cannot shift, you pay more than with a fixed or variable contract. [SW-S57]
Scheduling everything in the same cheap quarter hour can raise the capacity peak. [SW-S53]

By region

Belgium: Test-Achats, VREG. [SW-S57]
Netherlands: Dynamic contracts also exist; the end of net metering in 2027 makes shifting more attractive. [SW-S52]

Search terms

These search terms are in Dutch; only terms that also find a topic in English are links.

dynamisch contract EPEX slim laden automatisering

Read also

General information, not personal advice. Check the source and reference date.

Sources

SW-S52 Salderingsregeling stopt in 2027 — Rijksoverheid (Reference date 2026-09-27)
SW-S53 Capaciteitstarief — Vlaamse Nutsregulator (VREG) (Reference date 2026-09-27)
SW-S57 Dynamische energietarieven: voordelen en beste contracten — Test-Aankoop (Reference date 2026-09-27)

Reference date: 2026-09-27 · Translated with AI from the Dutch original.