Bruges-Sijsele

Elia is planning to lay new 36-kV underground cables between Bruges and Sijsele. The existing cables date from 1937 and have reached the end of their service lives. This project will allow Elia to continue guaranteeing the security of supply in the Bruges area in the future. Once work is complete, the current outdated connection will be decommissioned.

The new 36-kV underground cables will be laid between the existing substations in Bruges and Sijsele. The cable connection is around eight kilometres long and runs along Altebijstraat, Maalse Steenweg (N9), Vossenberg, Rijckeveldestraat and Kerkweg. Thanks to earlier modifications to the grid and by laying two electricity cables at the same time, Elia can replace the existing 31-kilometre-long connection between Bruges and Eeklo with a shorter underground cable.

 

Whenever it is carrying out work, Elia always takes a number of measures to minimise disruption.

• The work is being performed in nine phases, each involving a section measuring between 500 and 800 metres. This will limit the duration and scale of the impact on the surrounding area.
• Homes and businesses will remain accessible at all times while work is under way. Should circumstances mean that they are temporarily inaccessible, however, this will be announced in advance.
• An Elia accessibility advisor will contact businesses to provide further details regarding their accessibility during the work.
• Site signs on the road will inform road users about the start and end dates of the work and any possible diversions.
• Letters will be sent to local residents and businesses, informing them about accessibility and any traffic diversions.
• Elia will regularly email updates about the work. Sign up for the Bruges-Sijsele project's digital newsletter here. 
• Elia always prioritises the safety of employees and local residents and an uninterrupted electricity supply when it organises its sites.

Elia conducted a detailed study of the cable route in spring 2018. At the start of the permit process in June 2018, Elia organised an information session for local residents and businesses along the route. Elia will start laying the new underground electricity cables in March 2020. This work will be performed in nine phases to limit the duration and scale of the impact on the surrounding area. Work is expected to continue until April 2021.

Information flyer – The Bruges-Sijsele project (in Dutch)

Press release – Presentation of Bruges-Sijsele project (in Dutch)

Letter to residents  – Invitation to information sessions before work begins (in Dutch)

Letter to residents - Phase 1:  preparatory work (in Dutch)

Digital newsletter - Phase 1: preparatory work (in Dutch) 

Digital newsletter - Phase 1: resumption of work (in Dutch)

Letter to residents - Phase 1: resumption of work (in Dutch)

Letter to local resident - Phase 3: laying High-voltage cables (in Dutch)

Letter to local residents - Fase 3 - Repair and asphalting of road surface of Maalse steenweg (in Dutch)

Letter to residents - Phase 7: preparatory work (in Dutch)

Letter to residents - Phase 8: preparatory work (in Dutch)

Digital newsletter - Phase 8: early start of work (in Dutch)