General – Energy Hub
The Belgian federal government, in collaboration with Elia, the federal administration, and the electricity and gas regulator (CREG), aims to develop an alternative concept for the next phase of the Princess Elisabeth offshore energy hub.
This new proposal should remain aligned with the original objectives of the project while reducing costs. The ambition remains the same: to further develop and optimize wind production capacity in Belgium’s second offshore wind zone, while also realizing a second interconnector with the United Kingdom.
This revision has been prompted by unprecedented global increases in the prices of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology and related services required for offshore development. In line with the government’s decision, Elia will not sign the previously negotiated contract relating to the purchase of HVDC infrastructure.
The signing of this contract was temporarily suspended earlier this year. the next project phase, including a second interconnector with the United Kingdom
The contract means that:
the construction of the energy hub and its connection to offshore wind sites in Belgium’s second wind zone in the North Sea continues:
an alternative approach to the next phase of the project, which covers the construction of a second interconnector between the UK and Belgium, will be developed.
Both the continued development of offshore wind and a second interconnector with the UK are of strategic value for Belgium.
