Belgium Transmission operator Elia announced on October 3 that it has received a permit to build the 3.5 GW Princess Elisabeth artificial energy island.
Simulation of the construction process of Princess Elisabeth Island. Video: Elia
Princess Elisabeth Island includes an energy hub 45 kilometers off the coast that will connect the mainland’s power grid to the new wind farm, as well as lines from the U.K. and Denmark to the Belgian grid. The island will combine both direct and alternating current, according to Power Technology . Construction on the project is expected to begin as early as 2024 and be completed in about two years.
"Belgium is a leader in offshore wind power. Belgium is driving the energy transition by quadrupling offshore wind capacity in the North Sea, building an energy island and grid connections with surrounding countries," said Tinne Van der Straeten, Belgian Minister of Energy.
According to Van der Straeten, the new energy island will become a hub for offshore wind power, providing cheap and sustainable energy to Belgian households and businesses, turning the North Sea into a green energy powerhouse. The site where Elia will build the island’s concrete foundations is located in Vlissingen, in the North Sea port. Construction preparations have already begun, led by the marine construction company DEME and Jan De Nul.
Elia has now finalised the island design, incorporating measures to protect marine and on-island wildlife. The design was developed with expert advice to consider what elements need to be changed or added to increase biodiversity on and around the island.
A total of 23 concrete caissons, each 60 meters long, 30 meters wide and 30 meters high, will be towed to the offshore location and installed in place in 2024 and 2025. Following installation, the island will be reclaimed by filling it with sand and preparing it for the installation of electrical infrastructure. According to Van Quickenborne, the first wind turbines on the island will be delivered in 2028.
An Khang (According to Interesting Engineering )
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