Belgium revives North Sea energy island with cheaper new plan
Belgium’s federal government is preparing a cheaper new version of its delayed North Sea energy island project, after costs for the original plan rose sharply.
Energy minister Mathieu Bihet is expected to present the revised proposal to the government soon, newspaper De Standaard writes. The new plan would save around €2 billion compared with the previous design.
The Princess Elisabeth energy island is being built about 45 kilometres off the Belgian coast near Ostend. It is meant to connect offshore wind farms to Belgium’s electricity grid and eventually link Belgium with the United Kingdom through an undersea power cable.
Last year, the government cancelled part of the original project after estimated costs rose from around €2.2 billion to more than €10 billion, including the planned UK connection. Most of the cost would have been paid by Belgian electricity users.
The new proposal keeps the connection to the UK but reduces its capacity slightly, from 1.4 to 1.2 gigawatts. The project would still combine offshore wind power with international electricity links, helping Belgium strengthen its role as an energy hub in north-west Europe.
Officials say falling prices for high-voltage equipment have helped make the updated plan more affordable. Regulators in Belgium and the UK are still negotiating how the costs and benefits will be shared between the two countries.
If approved, the revised project would also allow Belgium to build a third planned offshore wind farm, which had previously been put on hold.
However, some important electricity lines on land still need to be completed before the extra offshore wind power can reach the Belgian grid.
© BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS