Elia Offshore Service Center is gradually taking shape in the port of Ostend
In the port of Ostend, grid operator Elia’s new Offshore Service Center is steadily taking shape. The facility will serve as the base for maintaining Elia’s offshore infrastructure. Progress on the construction was presented Monday during a site visit.
Located directly on the quay with access to the jetty, the centre will house offices, a warehouse with a workshop, a crisis room, and meeting spaces. “We will coordinate all our offshore activities from this building. This way, we can intervene when necessary,” said David Zenner of Elia.
The warehouse will store equipment for rapid deployment. “We will store equipment in the warehouse so that we can have it immediately available if we need to replace something,” Zenner added. The site also includes facilities for offshore workers, such as showers and sanitary amenities.
Elia sees the centre as a stepping stone for future expansion. “Princess Elisabeth Island is coming, and that ensures that the activities grow and that more space is needed to manage everything properly,” said Zenner. “In the long term, this will also be the ideal place to expand our activities in the future.”
The choice for Ostend was strategic. “It is not only a good location to go offshore, but especially the ecosystem of innovation, knowledge and infrastructure makes this place suitable,” he said.
The building is expected to be completed by the end of this year and operational in early 2026.
#FlandersNewsService | Elia Offshore Service Center is gradually taking shape in the port of Ostend, on Monday 30 June 2025. © BELGA PHOTO MAAIKE TIJSSENS
Related news
