Work begins on Liefkenshoek–Mercator high-voltage line (380kV)
Elia is upgrading the Liefkenshoek–Mercator (Kruibeke) high-voltage line. In late August Elia will begin taking down the existing high-voltage line (150kV) and will later build a new, upgraded high-voltage line (380kV) in the same location. To support the heavier lines, Elia is replacing 58 high-voltage pylons with new ones. The new masts will look virtually the same as they do today.
Measures for Lisdodde and Rietveld Kallo
This week Elia initiated preparatory work near Kallo as well as the Lisdodde and Rietveld Kallo nature reserves with a view to completing the work before the start of the breeding season. The nature reserves are home to many protected marsh birds and songbirds, which need rest starting in mid-November.
The Lisdodde and Rietveld Kallo nature reserves will only be partially accessible during the works in order to ensure the safety of hikers and walkers. The disruption will be limited and local. This means that Rietveld Kallo will be harder to access from the Melseledijk area, but the nature reserve will still be accessible via other access roads.
Work in phases
In the weeks ahead, the work will proceed in phases: first the conductors will be removed from the high-voltage pylons and then the 58 pylons will be taken down. The dismantling phase will run until March 2024, after which Elia will start building the pylons. All the work should be completed by mid-2026.
Elia is also taking a number of technical measures to minimise electromagnetic fields (EMF) from the high-voltage line. For example, using compact masts with insulated crossarms and transposing the conductors will reduce the EMF profile of this 380kV line.
High demand for electricity
This upgrade, which is part of the Brabo III project, is needed to meet rising demand for electricity from homes and businesses. Thanks to Brabo III, Elia can transmit up to 20% more electricity while bolstering energy exchanges with the Netherlands, which is important for ensuring a more stable grid and keeping energy prices in balance.
As a result, Elia is not only bolstering security of supply for the Port of Antwerp, one of the key drivers of the Belgian economy, but also reinforcing the backbone of the entire Belgian power grid.
