The country's government has granted an environmental permit to the Elia group of companies that manages the Belgian electricity networks. Currently, the construction of the concrete foundation has already begun.
The artificial island, which covers an area of about 5.5 hectares, is named after the Crown Princess of Belgium, Elizabeth. The company claims that such a project is being implemented for the first time in the world. Elia promises to present the final design of the island by the end of the year, taking into account the natural features.
The island is located 45 kilometers off the coast of Belgium and is set to become an energy hub connecting offshore wind farms to Belgium's onshore power grid. It will also be equipped with distribution stations to connect to the UK and Danish electricity supply systems. Wind turbines will be installed around the island in the sea.
Energy Island was considered as an alternative to nuclear power plants, which are scheduled to be closed in 2025. But later, the Belgian government decided to extend the life of some nuclear reactors. The project is planned to be launched in 2026 and by 2030, 30% of all energy consumed in the country will be produced in the North Sea.
Source: Elia
