New Ventilus Hurdles Cleared: Radiation Standards and GRUP Set

At the end of March, the Flemish government determined the preferred route for the controversial high-voltage line. That process was subsequently discussed with the municipalities involved and all the authorities and services involved. In the end, seven local authorities gave a (conditional or partial) favorable advice, nine an unfavorable advice and eight no advice. According to Minister Demir, the unfavorable recommendations “were not so much about the content of the implementation plan, but about the flanking policy and the compensation measures requested from Elia”.

Clarity for businesses

Employers’ organization Voka therefore asks for clarity regarding the compensation for the many companies along the route. “The Flemish government has promised that to the companies, to the local residents, to the agricultural companies. We therefore look forward to clarity about this compensation policy,” says Bert Mons of Voka.

Radiation standards

There is now clarity about the radiation standards. The standard for acute exposure is 100 microTesla. That is twice as strict as the European standard. For chronic exposure to magnetic fields at high-voltage connections, the guideline value is 0.4 microTesla.

Public investigation

The next step in the spatial implementation plan procedure is a public inquiry for the general population and all stakeholders. The timing for that public inquiry has also already been set, it will run from August 29 to October 27.