Fastned to deploy 11 fast-charging stations in Luxembourg province

Dutch fast-charging chain Fastned will deploy eleven fast-charging stations in the Belgian province of Luxembourg in the next twelve to eighteen months. Fastned won a tender from the inter-municipal group Idelux, which – under tourism pressure – wants to address the ‘EV-charging desert landscape’ in Wallonia.

The Belgian province of Luxembourg, bordering the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, is a major tourist attraction within the densely wooded Belgian Ardennes. Bastogne, for instance, is the place of the famous Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during the Second World War.

Over 19,000 soldiers lost their lives in what became the United States’ deadliest single WWII battle. Houffalize was also a strategic location during that battle, where the armies of the generals Montgomery and Patton met in their counter-attack against the German forces.

Another popular tourist attraction is the Euro Space Center, an ESA science museum and educational tourist attraction located in the village of Transinne, municipality of Libin.

Six million nights spent

In 2022, tourists spent over six million nights in the province of Luxembourg, 36.4% of the total in Wallonia. Compared to the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Flanders, where Fastned already has 33 stations, Wallonia is lagging in EV acceptance.

Fastned has only two stations operational in Wallonia today: one in Vielsalm at the Baraque Fraîture and one in Anderlous, between Charleroi and Mons. From the summer of 2025, Fastned will open 11 new stations on the province of Luxembourg‘s busiest routes. One of the first will be at Libin along the E411, at the Galaxia business park near the Euro Space Center.

Fast-food restaurant or kiosks

These stations will initially offer up to eight charging points of up to 400 kW each. The chargers can provide up to 300 km of additional range in 15 minutes, depending on the vehicle. The company says Galaxia Libin will also get a shop and a fast-food restaurant “with a range of sustainable services and products, in line with Fastned’s philosophy.”

Seven other stations (Arlon, Aubange, Bastogne, Houffalize, Léglise, Marche–en–Famenne, Neufchâteau) will have Fastned kiosks equipped with vending machines for drinks and snacks and sanitary facilities.

The other three stations will be at Hinck Barrière, Bertrix, and Virton, which will get four up to 12 chargers in time. All have to be realized in the next year and a half.

20-year lease agreement

Idelux itself took the initiative to launch a tender in November 2023 to set up a network of fast–charging stations in collaboration with a private player through a 20–year lease agreement. Fastned says in a press release that this tender is the largest project in Belgium regarding the number of stations initiated by an inter-municipal company.

“The tender led by Idelux is the first of its kind for the roll–out of electric mobility and charging infrastructure in Wallonia. This ambitious project will contribute to making Wallonia one of the fastest growing regions in Europe in terms of electrification and will play a key role in achieving Wallonia‘s goals to reduce CO2 emissions,” says Elie Deblire, President of Idelux Développement.

In addition to the eleven stations for Idelux, Fastned has also agreed with the CHU UCL Namur hospital network to build fast–charging stations at its sites in Dinant, Godinne, and Namur.