Hogan Lovell OffshoreBook 2023 230809 OnlinePDF - Flipbook - Page 12
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in 2024. 5 The publication of the "first" tender
is therefore scheduled for 2024, with the aim
of putting the first new offshore installations for the production of electricity based
on renewable energy sources in the "Princess Elisabeth Zone" into service from 2029
onwards.
This planning is still indicative, since the
commissioning of the new offshore installations depends in particular on the
readiness and reinforcement of the Belgian
electricity grid and transmission facilities
(see infra section 1.2 Expectations of future
developments in the market until 2030 and
beyond). 6
Belgium
1.2 Expectations of future developments
in the market until 2030 and beyond
By the end of 2020, the first offshore wind
phase has been completed, bringing the
total production capacity to approximately
2,300 MW.
With the second offshore wind phase, the
federal government is aiming at adding another 3,150 to 3,500 MW to the grid by 2030.7
The wind developing sector was pushing
for the completion of this second offshore
wind phase by 2024 but, given the political
situation during the period 2019-2020 (delay
on the composition of the new government
delays the adoption of the Royal Decree
regarding the new tendering procedure) and
the fact that the Belgian electricity grid is not
yet ready for new offshore wind capacity (it is
to be noted that Elia is currently implementing the "Ventilus Project", which will connect
wind energy from the North Sea to a new
electricity connection in West Flanders). The
Ventilus Project is the subject of an integrated planning process as part of the preparation of a regional spatial implementation
plan. At this point, the draft planning phase is
ongoing, in which – following various studies
(environmental impact study, social cost-benefit analysis, spatial safety report) – a preferred route was submitted to the Flemish
Government. At the end of March 2023, the
5 "Preliminary studies carried out by the Belgian government within the framework of the offshore tender", published by FPS Economy on 3 April 2023
(https://economie.fgov.be/en/themes/energy/belgian-offshore-wind-energy/preliminary-studies-carried).
6 "Belgian offshore wind energy – 5.4-5.8 GW", published by FPS Economy on 13 January 2022 (Belgian offshore wind energy -5.4-5.8 GW by 2030
| FPS Economy (fgov.be)); W. Vandorpe, D. Haverbeke en L. Pellens, "Belgische offshore windproductie – Tendering the way forward, maar hoe exact?
Enkele aandachtspunten" in Jaarboek energierecht 2020, K. Deketelaere en B. Delvaux (ed.), Intersentia, October 2021, 92 and 97.
7 "Wind farms in Belgian North sea will have supplied green power for nearly 2 million Belgian Households in 2022", published by Belgian Offshore
Platform on 16 December 2022 (Wind farms in Belgian North Sea will have supplied green power for nearly 2 million Belgian households in 2022 –
Belgian Offshore Platform ); "Belgian integrated National Energy- and Climate Plan 2021-2030", 73 (nekp-finaal-plan.pdf (nationaalenergieklimaatplan.
be)); "Belgian offshore wind energy", published by FPS Economy with last update on 3 April 2023 (Belgian offshore wind energy -5.4-5.8 GW by 2030 |
FPS Economy (fgov.be)).W. Vandorpe, D. Haverbeke en L. Pellens, "Belgische offshore windproductie – Tendering the way forward, maar hoe exact? Enkele
aandachtspunten" in Jaarboek energierecht 2020, K. Deketelaere en B. Delvaux (ed.), Intersentia, October 2021, 95.
