Electricity operator Elia will inject 500,000 euros in Ventilus - a new "crucial" project in West Flanders - and for the transmission of the surplus of renewable land-and-sea produced energy through the high voltage network. Elia - Belgium’s official electricity transmission system operator (TSO)- announced this on Monday.
Today, the current supplied by offshore wind farms is transported via Stevin (high voltage link). But it is no longer enough. Belgium now needs a "robust" system with new turbines that will emerge off the country’s coast in the coming years, according to an Elia employee.
The grid will be strengthened in West Flanders with Ventilus. This electricity “motorway” will be between Zeebrugge and Avelgem at 380 kV and will transport 6 GW.
A plot of 82 km has been defined by Elia in close collaboration with federations including agricultural and environmental associations. It is not yet set in stone, the company said, and it will continue to inform and consult all concerned throughout the year.
The goal is to obtain a permit by 2022, according to Flemish Environment Minister Koen Van den Heuvel. Ventilus should be constructed and functional in 2025.
The Brussels Times
