Public consultation on the Heze-Van Eyck nature management plan

In early February 2021 Elia launched its project to upgrade the 380-kV high-voltage line between the Massenhoven (Zandhoven) and Van Eyck (Kinrooi and Maaseik) high-voltage substations.

This line runs through a nature reserve at various locations. A nature management plan will be rolled out to support conservation and biodiversity under the high-voltage line once the work is complete. The draft version of the nature management plan pertaining to part of the line route (phase 1) will be available for public consultation from 29 March to 28 April 2021.

New type of conductor on an existing high-voltage line

The 380-kV Massenhoven-Van Eyck high-voltage line is part of the backbone of the high-voltage grid and will be equipped with a new type of conductor (HTLS) that can transmit more current. This will allow Elia to better distribute and transmit increased electricity flows throughout the country in the future. The upgraded high-voltage line will also make it possible to exchange more electricity with the Netherlands. This is necessary to continue ensuring security of supply for the country.

Design of the Heze-Van Eyck integrated nature management plan

The high-voltage line runs through forest areas and a nature reserve at various locations. A nature management plan will be rolled out to support conservation and biodiversity under the high-voltage line once the work is complete. Elia, in collaboration with Agentschap Natuur en Bos (the Flemish conservation agency), has drawn up an integrated 24-year nature management plan for the towns under the high-voltage line. The plan covers the area between the Heze (Geel) and Van Eyck (Kinrooi and Maaseik) high-voltage substations, and the towns involved are Geel, Meerhout, Ham, Balen, Hechtel-Eksel, Peer, Bocholt, Bree, Kinrooi and Maaseik.

Public consultation from 29 March to 28 April 2021

The draft version of the integrated nature management plan (file no. NBP-LI-19-011) will be available for public consultation from Monday, 29 March 2021 to Wednesday, 28 April 2021. The plan can be consulted during this period:

on paper: during office hours (between 9 a.m. and noon and between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.) at Agentschap Natuur en Bos in Hasselt (Koningin Astridlaan 50 bus 5, 3500 Hasselt)

online: by downloading the draft version of the plan from Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos

During that same period, you can leave comments and/or objections with Agentschap Natuur en Bos, making sure to reference Ontwerp Natuurbeheerplan delen 2-5 Natuurbeheerplan Elia hoogspanningslijn Geel (Heze) – Van Eyck (Draft Nature Management Plan parts 2-5 Nature Management Plan Elia high-voltage line Geel (Heze) - Van Eyck). This can be done: