Belgian electric services company Elia Transmission Belgium has won support from independent energy expert and assurance provider DNV to be the construction tenderer for a new Belgium energy island.
The giant new offshore renewable energy conversion and transmission plant known as an energy island will be located 45km off the coast of Belgium.
The energy island will handle up to 3.5GW of offshore wind power. It will have a seabed footprint of a maximum of 25ha and at the surface around 7ha in waters about 18m deep.
The island will collect high-voltage AC power electrons from wind farms, transform it partly to 220kv and to DC electricity. It will then export this electricity via subsea cables to countries in mainland Europe such as Blegium, Denmark and the UK and supply 3.5M homes.
It will also be connected to the future Danish North Sea energy island – the world’s first artificial energy island 80km west of the coast of Denmark in the North Sea. The Danish energy island was given the go-ahead by the Danish Government in February 2021.
Since then, extensive geophysical mapping and geotechnical site investigation campaigns have been carried out across the island and wind farm sites.
Elia’s island is expected to be the finished artificial energy island in Europe with hub and spoke facilities. It is expected to be joined by other similar projects in the North Sea and Baltics.
Completion of the island is expected in mid-2026. Elia will start the construction of the electrical infrastructure to connect offshore wind and allow for DC interconnectors from 2026-2027.
DNV from the Danish office is undertaking an independent assessment of the island’s design. This will provide Elia with guidance on any improvements required to minimize risk throughout its construction and operation through a combination of workshops and continuous assurance reviews.
The project aims to be an important building block for a European offshore energy grid.
DNV executive vice president for energy systems in Northern Europe Prajeev Rasiah said: “With this project, offshore wind is entering a new era. Connecting offshore wind farms to transmission hubs such as artificial energy islands will improve electricity flows across Europe and enable the development of large-scale, cost-effective, and sustainable wind production and transmission at sea.
“Using our extensive global offshore experience, we are working to de-risk the project and support the business case for the project with internal and external stakeholders to Elia, including the authorities in Belgium.
"Key areas of focus are North Sea conditions, environment, geotechnical and hydrodynamic considerations, concrete/steel structure evaluation, marine warranty, electrical power systems and interoperability.”
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