News Ruien-Chièvres

Starting from 1 September 2025, we will launch a new phase of works on the Provincial Road N48, as part of the replacement of the 150 kV overhead electrical link between Ruien and Chièvres with an underground connection. This project is essential to strengthen the electricity supply security in the region.

Construction of a number of new power-line sections began on Monday 30 September 2024.

This spring, work on the underground cable between Ruien and Chièvres was put on hold. The reason for this: several bentonite outbreaks. Elia deeply regrets these incidents and is looking into alternative working methods.

High-voltage system operator Elia today restarted works on the laying of the underground cable between Ruien and Chièvres. Work was halted due to a bentonite outbreak near the Scheldestraat in Kluisbergen. 

High-voltage system operator Elia has halted works on the laying of the underground cable between Ruien and Chièvres due to a bentonite outbreak near the Scheldestraat in Kluisbergen.

The 150 kV overhead line between the Ruien and Chièvres high-voltage substations is nearing the end of its service life. To guarantee security of supply in your region, the current line will be replaced by an underground line of the same voltage (150 kV).

Now that the permit has been issued, Elia is making preparations for the construction phase, which will see the new underground connection laid before the current overhead line is dismantled.

In February 2023, the Walloon Region granted the permit for the line between Ruien and Chièvres to Elia. The municipality of Celles-en-Hainaut then lodged an appeal.

The planning permit was granted in early February by the Delegated Official of Hainaut I.

Elia officially submitted its planning permit application to the competent authorities on 22 July 2020 (with a supplement on 2 September and a file declared complete on 15 September).

In addition to the urban planning permit application that will be submitted shortly for the Walloon Region and the “omgevingsvergunning ” ² relating to Flanders, a demand of Declaration of Public Utility (DUP) will be filed with and examined by the Federal Public Energy Service.

An audit is scheduled between Thieulain and Chièvres from 21 March to 7 April

As part of the environmental impact study, and more specifically in connection with the dismantling of the current overhead line between the Ruien and Chièvres substations, photos must be on the territory of the municipalities involved in the project. 

On 22 September, the Elia project team organised a preliminary information meeting and an online information session for members of the public.

The technical and administrative study period for the project to replace the high voltage line between the Ruien substation (in Flanders) and the Chièvres substation (in Wallonia) is coming to an end.