Sans titre

The Ventilus project will connect wind energy from the North Sea to a new electricity highway in West Flanders. Via connections to other grid projects, the Ventilus will constitute a strong electricity network enabling the transmission of renewable energy. This will enable us to take an important step towards a low-carbon society. The project is part of a broader network development plan scheduled for implementation between 2020 and 2030.
In the future, the North Sea will play a prominent role in the Belgian energy mix (generation, imports). Elia is implementing the Ventilus project to bring this 'marine energy' onshore to consumption centres. Completion of the Ventilus project will also connect new generating facilities in West Flanders to the power grid. This connection's interlinkage with the Stevin line means the project will also help to boost grid reliability in the region and in Belgium as a whole. Finally, the Ventilus will enable a second overseas connection with the UK.

Elia is very busy conducting preliminary studies for this project (looking into possible landfall sites, the most commonly used technology, etc.). As soon as these studies have been completed, a launch notice will be issued, kicking off a broad notification phase in which citizens, companies, local authorities and civil society organisations will be able to participate. Any comments and suggestions received will be taken on board, because Elia is intent on embracing an explicitly participative approach to this project.

A Spatial Implementation Plan with integrated environmental impact report (planMER) will be drawn up for the project with a view to securing approval for this project by the end of 2024 and having the infrastructure in place by the end of 2027. This will enable full use to be made in the next phase of the development of offshore wind energy.