For new buildings > 1,000 m², for which planning permission is required as from 31st of January 2008, a feasibility study must be carried out.

The aim of this study is to inform building owners about the available techniques and subsidies and the feasibility of the different alternative energy systems from the design stage, so that any applications can still be fully integrated into the final design.

Certain elements, systems or techniques are to be studied, taking into account the building’s use (residential, business, school, industrial, health or meeting facilities) and the net floor area.

The feasibility study must be completed within one month of the date on which the planning application is submitted. The results are submitted to the Flemish Energy Agency (VEA) by means of a digital summary. This signed version must be kept by the builder for three years.

For a residential building with a net floor area < 5000 m², the following elements will be examined:

• Heating or cooling by enclosures/blocks, if such systems are available.
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
• Solar water heater
• Photovoltaic solar cells
  The rest of the consumption is estimated based on the usual standard values for similar buildings.

For an office building with a net floor area < 5,000 m², the following equipment must be considered:

• Heating or cooling by enclosures/blocks, if such systems are available.
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
• Solar water heater
• Photovoltaic solar cells
  The rest of the consumption is estimated based on the usual standard values for similar buildings.

To ensure a correct calculation, the following documents are required:

• Drawings
• Building energy performance study
• All other possible relevant information

Any new building under consideration in the Walloon Region for which planning permission is required as of the 1st of May 2015 requires a mandatory feasibility study.

The feasibility study must be attached to the planning application. The results must be submitted to the competent administration (Service public Wallonie).

Specific elements, systems or techniques will be studied in accordance with the building’s use and its net usable area.

The aim of this study is to inform building owners about the available techniques, the subsidies and the feasibility of the different alternative energy systems from the design stage, so that any applications can still be fully integrated into the final design.

To ensure a correct calculation, the following documents are required:

• Drawings
• Building energy performance study
• All other possible relevant information