Brabo III

Elia’s aim with the Brabo project is to enable a transition to sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity by facilitating the import and export of electricity between Belgium and the Netherlands. The project serves three main purposes:

• Trading power with neighbouring countries
  The Brabo project will facilitate the import and export of electricity between Belgium and the Netherlands. The development of robust power connections between countries is a key building block for an efficient European electricity market.
• Upgrading the Belgian electricity grid
  Brabo III will see Elia upgrade Belgium’s existing 380-kV network, which forms the backbone of the Belgian power grid. Once the work is complete, Elia will be able to transmit up to 20% more electricity on the upgraded power connection within the 380-kV network.
• Efficiently staggering electricity flows
  Renewable energy being generated around the country means an increase in flows of electricity on the power grid. Brabo III will make it easier for Elia to stagger and transmit these flows in the future.

Brabo III can be subdivided into three parts based in Beveren, Kruibeke and Zwijndrecht.

1. Laying a 150-kV underground cable between Kallo and Fort Sint-Filips
   Elia is laying a new 150-kV underground cable between the Kallo and Fort Sint-Filips high-voltage substations so that work can be done on the Liefkenshoek-Mercator overhead line at the Kallo high-voltage substation.
2. Laying a 150-kV underground cable between Kallo and Beveren-Waas
   Elia is laying a new 150-kV underground cable between the Kallo and Beveren-Waas high-voltage substations. This is vital for maintaining sufficient capacity at 150 kV while work is being performed on the Liefkenshoek-Mercator overhead line.
3. Upgrading the Liefkenshoek-Mercator high-voltage overhead line
   Elia is taking down the existing 150-kV overhead line between Liefkenshoek and the Mercator high-voltage substation in Kruibeke, then erecting a new, upgraded 380-kV overhead line in the same location. The new overhead line will be a key link in the Belgian power grid.

• 1. Elia will restore land to its original state once work is complete.
• 2. Where possible, Elia will set up its project site depots in existing industrial zones or paved areas to reduce the impact on the local area and the natural environment.
• 3. Elia guarantees that local residents will always be able to access their homes.
• 4. Work will not be carried out at night, so depots and sites will not be lit up during the night.
• 5. Site vehicles will use the shortest, safest and most accessible routes.
• 6. Elia will use wooden gantries or cranes when removing or pulling cables close to railways, roads or other key infrastructure with a view to minimising the impact on the surrounding area.
• 7. If normal traffic has to be diverted, the diversions will be agreed with the relevant road authority (the municipal council or the Flemish Region) and clearly communicated to local residents.

According to the current schedule, Elia will submit permit applications for the project in autumn 2020 with a view to starting work on laying the 150-kV underground electricity cables in 2021. From late 2021 onwards, Elia plans to begin upgrading the existing 150-kV line between Liefkenshoek and Mercator, replacing it with a 380-kV line.

• Brochure Brabo III (in Dutch)