The part of the energy island in direct current, the costs of which have become excessive, will be scrapped. This will make a considerable saving possible.
The costs had increased dramatically, from 2.12 billion euros to 7 to 8 billion euros as a result of the rapidly growing demand for direct current stations and cables.
Saving
High-voltage operator Elia, which is having the island built, had already decided in February to postpone the signing of the most expensive part pending a final decision from the government.
This will save at least three billion euros, money that would otherwise be passed on to consumers via their electricity bills.
Other solution
However, cancelling the investment has significant consequences. This means that the third wind farm in the Princess Elisabeth zone cannot be constructed, and the new connection with the United Kingdom will also not be built for the time being. The construction of the island itself continues.
For the connection with Great Britain, another solution is possible via a direct cable from the British mainland to the Belgian coast, but this would require renegotiations with the British.
‘Secure energy future’
By eliminating the expensive part of the island, the government is opting for “healthy management for a secure energy future, without spiralling bills for consumers,” according to Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet.
An alternative concept will now be developed. According to energy company Elia, “This new proposal should be in line with the original objectives, but at a lower cost. The ambition remains to develop further and optimise the wind production capacity in the Belgian North Sea, and at the same time realise a second interconnection with the United Kingdom.”
