Operation Ventilus Starts in West Flanders

The Flemish government and the Belgian transmission system operator Elia have jointly proposed plans for Ventilus, a new high-voltage project in West Flanders to connect additional offshore wind capacity.

Wind energy is Belgium’s biggest source of renewable generation (8% of the total energy mix) and there are specific plans to expand wind capacity with a second concession area for offshore wind in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Ventilus will ensure that this additional electricity is transmitted from the North Sea to consumers onshore, Elia said.

In the long term, Ventilus will also make it possible to build a second subsea connection with the United Kingdom, alongside the existing Nemo Link project that became operational at the start of this year, according to Elia.

Ventilus will be a 380-kV high-voltage line with a capacity of 6GW. The exact route has not yet been determined. To determine the route, the Flemish government and Elia have opted for a participatory approach. Accordingly, the launch notice was drawn up in close cooperation with various stakeholders.

In May and June, residents of the 25 municipalities affected will be invited to information sessions that will be held in ten locations across West Flanders. Environmental, agricultural and employers’ organisations will also be involved, together with the local authorities.

The result of the consultation process will be reviewed and taken into account in a scoping notice, which is expected in autumn 2019. This notice will indicate which variants will be specifically studied in terms of the environment.

Based on the subsequent Environmental Impact Study (EIS), the Flemish government will determine the final route in 2021 by means of the Regional Land-Use Plan (GRUP). The next step will be to apply for an environmental permit. Taking into account the duration of these procedures, work will begin no earlier than late 2022, Elia said.