Aubange-Esch
New planning permit application procedure for the second three-phase transmission line on the 220-kV line between the substations of Aubange (Belgium) and Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg) on Belgian territory.
Helping guarantee security of supply while complying with applicable legislation
As Belgium's transmission system operator, Elia is required to build and operate a reliable grid, thus helping guarantee the country's security of supply, while complying with any and all legislation in force.
The Aubange-Esch line is key to allowing Belgium and Luxembourg to help one another in maintaining the electricity supply in both countries. In view of the need to resolve the administrative situation of the second three phase transmission line (a circuit, i.e. a set of conductors and cables located on the same side of the pylons in this case) on the Aubange-Esch line, Elia decided to reapply for planning permission for this second circuit in consultation with the relevant authorities.
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The routeThe 220-kV Aubange-Esch overhead line connects the high-voltage substations in Aubange (Belgium) and Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg). It was built and commissioned in 1971 and equipped with an additional three-phase transmission line (circuit) in 1998. The Belgian section of the line comprises 15 pylons and their accessories (e.g. insulators, conductors, earth wires) and runs for 5.3 km through the municipalities of Aubange (12 pylons) and Messancy (3 pylons).
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BackgroundThe first three-phase transmission line (a circuit, i.e. three cables on the left side of the line heading towards Luxembourg) was built and commissioned in 1971. In 1998, Elia obtained a planning permit to install a second three-phase transmission line here.
Following an appeal, the Council of State revoked this permit in 2008, stating that the project's benefit to the public had not been sufficiently substantiated in the permit application at the time. The second three-phase transmission line had already been built and was operational by the time the permit was revoked.
In 2009, Elia submitted additional documentation to the competent authorities with a view to justifying the public utility of the project and thus resolving the stalemate. In accordance with the Walloon Code for Spatial, Urban and Heritage Planning (CWATUP) in force at the time, a public consultation was organised in the municipalities concerned in late 2009.
June 2021, Elia was notified of the irregularity of the second circuit of the Aubange-Esch connection. Following the additional information provided in 2009, and as the reasonable response times of the competent authorities had elapsed, Elia decided to relaunch a procedure to regularise the second circuit of this connection in 2021. A Prior Information Meeting (PIM) was arranged for the residents concerned in 2022. An Environmental Impact Study (EIS) was carried out and presented to the municipal councils and residents. A new application for planning permission was made on 11 October 2023.
Given of the importance of this essential connection and after careful consideration of the reasons set forth in the Walloon Government's decision to turn down the application for planning permission, Elia decided to lodge an appeal for annulment with the Council of State (on 25 September 2024). -
EnvironmentAll the environmental impacts of the second circuit were examined in the Environmental Impact Study carried out by an independent consultancy firm.
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Documents
News
09 November 2023
Permit application submitted and public consultation launched
On 23 January 2023, together with accredited consulting firm, SGS, we presented local residents with the initial findings of the impact study carried out in preparation for our permit application.
07 July 2023
Next steps in the project
Following the presentation of the initial conclusions of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) on 23 January, the independent and approved consulting firm SGS has completed its study.
12 January 2023
Presentation of the conclusions of the study on 23 January
Following the Preliminary Information Meeting, the City of Aubange and Elia officially collected everyone’s feedback and suggestions for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), conducted by SGS, an approved and independent consulting firm. The complete Environmental Impact Assessment will be appended to the planning permit application. This application will soon be filed with the Public Service of Wallonia.
14 October 2021
Advancepublic information meeting on 16 November
Following the cancellation of the meeting originally scheduled for 27 October 2020 due to a spike in COVID cases, on 16 November 2021 Elia will hold the rescheduled advance public information meeting on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and the Natura 2000 appropriate assessment, as part of the regularisation application relating to the second three-phase transmission line of the 220-kV Aubange-Esch connection (Belgian part).
22 October 2020
Advance public information meeting postponed due to new coronavirus measures
07 October 2020
Advance public information meeting on 27 October 2020
On 27 October 2020, Elia will organise an advance public information meeting ahead of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) as part of the regularisation application relating to the second three-phase transmission line of the 220-kV Aubange-Esch connection (Belgian part).
Contact us
If you are affected by a project and want to ask us something, please feel free to contact us.Our team would be happy to help.
