Ghent East

With this project, Elia is preparing the electricity grid around Ghent for the future through restructuring works. A number of electrical installations are reaching their end-of-life and, due to energy transition, higher electricity consumption is expected in the region. For example, because of the increase in the number of electric cars, the use of heat pumps and the electrification of businesses.

Elia is therefore replacing and installing new electrical installations in several high-voltage substations in the region around Ghent and laying new high-voltage underground connections (36kV) between the high-voltage substation Sint-Amandsberg and the high-voltage substation Wetteren. In this way, Elia will be able to continue to guarantee energy supply in the future.

Elia is carrying out the following work at the high-voltage substation on Dendermondsesteenweg in Sint-Amandsberg:

• Replacement of the existing transformer
  A transformer converts voltage from a higher to lower level and vice versa. A new transformer, with more power, will ensure that Elia can convert more high-voltage electricity (36 kV) into medium voltage (12 kV). In addition, the transformer will produce less humming noise for the environment.
• Installation of new switching equipment
  This is similar to the electricity distribution box in a house, but then on a much larger scale.
• Extension of 36 kV building and new Fluvius building
  The new transformer requires more space, which is why the 36 kV building is being expanded. A new building will also be constructed next to the existing Fluvius building: here the Fluvius switching equipment will be installed.

Planning

• Early 2024: start of works by Elia
• Early 2026: start of works by Fluvius
• End of 2026: end of works by Elia
• End of 2028: end of works by Fluvius

Elia is carrying out the following work at the Ham high-voltage substation (in the street with the same name at Dok Zuid) as part of the Ghent East project:

• Replacement of the existing transformer
  A transformer converts voltage from a higher to lower level and vice versa. A new transformer will allow Elia to convert high-voltage (36kV) electricity to medium voltage (12kV). Distribution system operator Fluvius brings this electricity to homes and businesses in the region.
• Relocation of the emergency generator
• Installation of new switching equipment
  This is similar to the electricity distribution box in a house, but then on a much larger scale. The cable bundles between the Ham and Sint-Amandsberg high-voltage substations are deduplicated.

Planning

• Early 2024: start of works
• End of 2026: end of works

Elia is carrying out the following work at the high-voltage substation at Kloosterstraat and Oude Heirbaan in Kwatrecht as part of the Ghent East project:

• Replacement of the transformer on the current site of the high-voltage substation (Oude Heirbaan 35, Melle).
  A transformer converts voltage from a higher to lower level and vice versa. A new transformer will ensure that Elia can convert more high-voltage electricity (36 kV) to medium voltage (12 kV). In addition, there will be less humming noise for the environment.
• Expansion of high-voltage substation to Kloosterstraat and installation of new GIS. Thanks to new technologies, Elia can ensure that the new installation will be low-noise.
  A GIS high-voltage substation is a closed building with switchgear and uses SF6 gas to insulate the components. It also takes up less space than an AIS installation. More information on GIS installations can be found in the brochure “What is a high-voltage substation?” under Documents.

Planning

• Autumn 2024: start of works
• End of 2027: end of works

Elia carries out the following activities on the high-voltage substation at Kapellendries within the framework of the Ghent East project:

• Dismantling of the existing buildings.
• Construction of a new GIS installation
  A GIS high-voltage substation is a closed building with switchgear and uses SF6 gas to insulate the components. It also takes up less space than an AIS installation. More information on GIS installations can be found in the brochure “What is a high-voltage substation?” under Documents. Elia is also installing a new diesel generator.
• Replacement of the medium-voltage cabin by Fluvius in the new building.

These images are impressions of the future incorporation of the high-voltage substation into its surroundings. The final permit documents may differ slightly from this representation.

Planning

• Autumn 2024: start of works
• End of 2027: end of works

Elia is installing new underground electricity connections (36 kV) between the high-voltage substations of Sint-Amandsberg and Wetteren. The existing underground electricity connections are at the end of their service life and are being replaced.

Planning

The works will be carried out in three phases:

• Phase 1: High-voltage substation Sint-Amandsberg to high-voltage substation Flora
  - Spring 2024: submission of environmental permit application and infomarket
  - Spring 2025: start of works
  - Spring 2026: end of works
• Phase 2: High-voltage substation Flora to high-voltage substation Kwatrecht
  - Autumn 2024: submission of environmental permit application and infomarket
  - Autumn 2025: start of works
  - Autumn 2026: end of works
• Phase 3: High-voltage substation Kwatrecht to high-voltage substation Wetteren
  - Spring 2024: submission of environmental permit application and infomarket
  - Spring 2025: start of works
  - Spring 2026: end of works

Elia is always mindful of the local area when carrying out works. The high-voltage system operator takes a range of measures intended to mitigate disruption and impact on the local area.

• Work will only take place during the day, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Elia guarantees that homes and businesses will always be accessible during the works.
• If local residents are set to experience a temporary increase in disruption for a specific reason, Elia or its subcontractor(s) will always individually notify those affected.
• If normal traffic has to be diverted, the diversions will be agreed with the road authority and clearly communicated to local residents.
• Once work is complete, the land is always restored to its original state.

• Information sheet - What is a high-voltage substation? (in French and in Dutch)
• Information sheet - Noise in the vicinity of high-voltage substations (in French and in Dutch)
• Information sheet - Construction of underground electricity connection (in French and in Dutch)