Start of works from Geel towards Herentals as from February 2021

Elia will start laying new underground electricity cables in Herentals, Olen and Geel in February 2021. This is necessary to prepare the electricity grid for the increasing demand for energy in the region. 

The works will start in Geel at the high-voltage substation 'Heze' and will move further towards the high-voltage substation Herentals. According to the current schedule, the works will be completed in June 2021.

Elia will start laying new underground electricity cables in Herentals, Olen and Geel in February 2021. This is necessary to prepare the electricity grid for the increasing demand for energy in the region. The works will start in Geel at the high-voltage substation 'Heze' and will move further towards the high-voltage substation Herentals. According to the current schedule, the works will be completed in June 2021.

Works starts in Geel and moves towards Herentals

From February 2021, Elia will lay new underground electricity cables (150kV) in Herentals, Olen and Geel. This will take place from the Heze high-voltage substation on the Albert Canal in Geel to the Herentals high-voltage substation on the Umicore site. The work will be carried out in several phases and in the direction from Geel to Herentals. Because the 11-kilometre-long route will be carried out in phases, the inconvenience will be limited in time and space. The works will be completed in June 2021. Before the start of the works in a particular phase, local residents will be informed by letter about the concrete impact on their accessibility and traffic.  

Measures for the environment 

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

• Work only takes place during the day, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
  
• lia guarantees that homes and business will remain accessible at all times while the work is under way. 
• If local residents are set to experience a temporary increase in disruption for a specific reason, Elia or its subcontractor(s) will 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.
  
  *Some streets along the route may contain traces of radioactivity. Elia has worked out its working methods in full compliance with the statutory guidelines applicable in this case. This was done in close contact with the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC). Thanks to the appropriate working methods, the work can now be carried out safely for both employees and the environment.