Flemish Environment minister grants planning permission for controversial Ventilus power line project
Flemish minister for the Environment Jo Brouns has issued a planning permission for the controversial Ventilus project, the construction of a high-voltage power line through West Flanders designed to transport electricity from offshore wind farms overland. Grid operator Elia has thus been given the green light to commence work on the site and plans to start by the summer. Several West Flemish mayors are appealing against the decision.
The much-discussed Ventilus project concerns the new high-voltage power line designed to transport electricity from the new offshore wind farms to the mainland. The line runs from Zeebrugge to Avelgem. Earlier, in 2023, the Flemish government had already given the green light to the Regional Spatial Implementation Plan (GRUP), which forms the basis for the planning application.
There has been local opposition to the plans in West Flanders province for years. The 82-km-long high-voltage connection will run partly underground, but partly – for 21 km – a new overhead high-voltage line will also be built. The construction of this new overhead line is a particularly sensitive issue in West Flanders.
The concerns mainly relate to the spatial impact and potential health risks. By the end of 2025, more than 2,500 responses had been received following an initial public consultation. Based on this, Elia implemented a number of adjustments. Members of the public were given another opportunity to comment on these adjustments, after which a further 500 or so responses followed.
According to minister Brouns, these comments and objections have been carefully analysed and the project has also been amended. For instance, additional conditions have been included, ranging from the creation of green buffers to the restoration of sites after works. The aim is also to minimise disruption during the works as much as possible for local residents, agriculture and traffic. A complaints register will also be established.
According to the minister, a comprehensive compensation policy has also been put in place. The compensations for local residents were already known. For businesses, the intention is to draw up a compensation framework this summer in consultation with business organisations.
“With this decision, we are providing clarity and enabling progress,” stated Brouns. “The geopolitical situation today demonstrates once again how important such strategic investments in the electricity grid are. We are imposing strict conditions on Elia to ensure this project is realised with respect for the environment. We will monitor very closely that all these obligations are also complied with.”
"The geopolitical situation today demonstrates once again how important such strategic investments in the electricity grid are"
Elia responded positively and said it will study the permit and the associated conditions. At the same time, the company is beginning preparations for the works, with the aim of starting them by the summer.
Several mayors of West Flemish municipalities through which the new Ventilus high-voltage line will pass, such as Ardooie and Lendelede, indicated that they will appeal against the permit. Proceedings are already underway at the Council of State against the Ventilus Regional Spatial Implementation Plan.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © PHOTO IMAGEBROKER
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