Flemish Minister of the Environment, Jo Brouns (CD&V), has granted grid operator Elia an environmental permit for the long-awaited Ventilus project, he announced on Monday.
The wind energy sector and environmental organizations are relieved; action groups and companies along the route are disappointed. “Minister Brouns is completely disregarding 3,000 objections,” opponents say.
New high-voltage line
Ventilus is the new high-voltage line Elia plans to build in West Flanders, intended to transport the electricity generated by the new offshore wind farms to the mainland. High-voltage grid operator Elia plans to start construction of the new high-voltage line by summer.
Ventilus will run from the beach in Zeebrugge to the high-voltage substation in Avelgem, with the reinforcement of existing lines and the laying of new high-voltage cables between Lendelede and Zedelgem.
The 82-kilometer-long high-voltage connection between Zeebrugge and Avelgem in West Flanders will run partly underground and partly above ground. The construction of this new overhead line is particularly controversial, especially in West Flanders.
Oppisition
Opponents are concerned about the environmental impact and the potential health risks to humans and animals. Citizens fear health damage from electromagnetic radiation, although there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
By the end of 2025, more than 2,500 responses had been received following an initial public inquiry. Based on these, Elia had already implemented several adjustments. Citizens were able to express their views on these adjustments again, after which another 500 or so responses followed.
Several Mayors of West Flemish municipalities through which the new Ventilus high-voltage line will pass have indicated that they will appeal against the recently granted environmental permit. This concerns municipalities where a new overhead line will be constructed.
Energy sector satisfied
The wind energy sector, on the other hand, is satisfied with the Ventilus permit. “The current energy crisis demonstrates once again that investments in ‘homegrown’ energy, such as offshore wind energy, are very important.” With this project, Elia aims to strengthen the saturated West Flemish electricity grid and ensure that energy generated by offshore wind turbines reaches the shore.
“To bring the energy generated in the Princess Elisabeth Zone, the second wind zone in the North Sea, ashore, we must strengthen our grid,” confirms Elia. “The construction of Ventilus is necessary to bring the electricity from the North Sea to the consumer.”
“Today’s geopolitical situation demonstrates once again how important such strategic investments in the electricity grid are,” responds Brouns.
Renewable energy
Bond Beter Leefmilieu (BBL) is satisfied with the permit granted by Minister Brouns. “Without this connection, our enormous potential for renewable energy remains stuck at sea,” says Director Benjamin Clarysse. BBL also believes it is a good thing that the line runs alongside highways.
Ventilus should be ready in 2030. In Wallonia, Elia has plans similar to Ventilus’s for Boucle-du-Hainaut. The Boucle connects with Ventilus in Avelgem and runs for about 80 kilometers to Courcelles. Boucle-du-Hainaut is still in the preparatory phase and should be ready at the earliest in 2033.
