Renewal of the Kwatrecht high-voltage substation

Early next year, Elia will start work on the high-voltage substation in Kwatrecht/Melle. The outdated high-voltage substation is in need of modernisation and is also being expanded. In addition, the old transformer, the beating heart of the high-voltage substation, will be replaced by a new one that makes less noise. 

The Kwatrecht high-voltage substation on the Oude Heirbaan in Melle was built in the 1980s. Since then, it has guaranteed energy to tens of thousands of families and businesses near Wetteren. But the high-voltage substation is outdated. This is why Elia is renewing the high-voltage substation as from early 2024. The works will take two years.

Rising demand for electricity

The renewal and expansion of the high-voltage substation are important steps to continue to guarantee the energy supply. As a result of the energy transition, electricity supply is rising, not only due to more renewable energy sources, but also due to increasing demand from, for example, the growing number of electric vehicles. In order to continue to meet these needs, Elia is modernising the high-voltage substation.

 Renewal and expansion works

• Installation of a low-noise transformer: the transformer at the current site of the high-voltage substation will be replaced by a new one. The new transformer will make less noise and will be up to 9 decibels quieter for the nearby homes and 10-23 decibels quieter for the homes situated a little further away. The transformer converts electricity from a high voltage (36 kV) to a lower voltage (12 kV).

• Construction of a new building: a new building will be constructed on the former site of the Fluvius medium-voltage substation. Here, the new high-voltage facilities will be installed together with auxiliary services and a diesel group. This guarantees security of supply during a breakdown or maintenance. The installations on both sides of the street are connected to each other via an underground cable connection.
• During the renewal works, Elia will also pay attention to the environment. The existing hedge on the site will be retained and the substation will be built with red bricks. In this way, the high-voltage substation will blend in better with its surroundings.