Wilsele-Pellenberg-Tienen

This project is necessary for two reasons:

• Security of supply for Pellenberg and Leuven
  Pellenberg and, by extension, the greater Leuven area must continue to be supplied with the power they need. By laying new 70-kV underground cables, Elia is ensuring security of supply and guaranteeing the grid can cope with future energy demand.
• Existing 70-kV overhead line reaches end of life
  The existing overhead line between Pellenberg and Tienen has reached the end of its life and will be dismantled. Elia is ensuring security of supply in the region thanks to the underground power cables between Wilsele and Pellenberg.

• Underground power cables laid between Wilsele and Pellenberg (October 2018–summer 2021)
  The new 70-kV underground electricity cables follow a path that is 7 km long. The cables exit the high-voltage substation in Wilsele (Aarschotsesteenweg) and run along the Leuven-Mechelen railway line, Eénmeilaan, Domeinstraat, Genadeweg, Schoolbergenstraat, Kortrijksestraat, Meugenslaan, Wimmershofpad and Kamperfoelieweg up to the Pellenberg transition station in Lubbeek.
  
  

• Pellenberg-Tienen overhead line to be dismantled (Februari 2022–Autumn 2022)
  Once the underground electricity cables have been laid between Wilsele and Pellenberg, Elia will begin dismantling the 70-kV overhead line between Pellenberg and Tienen. The overhead line runs through Kessel-Lo, Lubbeek and Tienen. Elia will dismantle 94 high-voltage pylons along the route.

Here the interactive map

Elia is taking a number of measures to minimise the disruption caused by its work: 

• Contractors work between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., meaning there will be no brightly lit depots or worksites during the night. The only exceptions will be during unusual circumstances and emergencies.
• Elia uses protective wooden frames or tower cranes when removing electric wires along roads, railway lines and other important infrastructure in order to limit the impact on the local area and residents.
• Site traffic uses the shortest, safest and most accessible routes.
• Elia will restore the site to its original state once its work is complete. 
• Where possible, Elia will set up its project site depots in existing industrial zones or paved areas to reduce the impact on local residents and the natural environment. 
• Elia guarantees access to homes and businesses at all times. If access is temporarily not possible, owners will be informed well in advance and Elia will set up a diversion where possible.
• If normal traffic has to be diverted, the diversions will be agreed with the relevant road authority (the municipal council or the Flemish Region) and clearly communicated to local residents.
• The website is a valuable source of information while work is ongoing. Local residents will be sent letters informing them about the latest project news. 

• February 2022: work begins to dismantle Pellenberg-Tienen overhead line
• Autumn 2022: dismantling of Pellenberg-Tienen overhead line completed

Letter to residents - start of dismantling works

 Sheet - Dismantling of an overhead line