Ventilus above ground or underground? Flemish government will meet tomorrow
As is known, the power from the offshore wind farms has to be brought ashore along a new high-voltage line. About 20 kilometers would come above ground along the E403 highway. Many people in the neighborhood and almost all mayors of the 10 municipalities involved are against it. Voka employers’ organization is in favour.
The Flemish government will meet tomorrow just before the holidays, with the Ventilus project on the agenda. An underground or overhead high-voltage line along the E403 is the pressing demand in the government with NV-A, Open VLD and CD&V. NV-A and Open VLD are thinking of above ground, CD&V with 8 mayors involved wants it underground, just like the citizen platforms and argues for additional research.
CD&V also wants more clarity about the additional cost of 5 billion euros for the underground route and the increased risk of childhood leukemia. Time pressure is not an argument for the mayors. Voka employers’ organization is also involved in the debate, because electricity is of course essential for companies. For Voka it is allowed above ground, but it mainly wants a decision tomorrow.