Ventilus: “Underground certainly feasible, and even fast”, says independent researcher
The protest against an overhead power line from the North Sea to Avelgem continues to grow. Opponents propose an underground alternative, “but that would be much more expensive,” says Elia, and it is also stated in the report by intendant Guy Vloeberghs. “But the comparison of the cost price between the two proposed options from Elia cannot be done correctly now,” says Filip Vanaeken. He investigated the whole matter. “The above-ground proposal is only for Ventilus through West Flanders, while the underground proposal has additional connections that run much further than the requested connection between Zeebrugge and Avelgem, namely to Courcelles and Tihange. As a result, Elia increases the proposed cost.” (read more below the photo)
“Elia has under-researched a realistic alternative with less impact,” says Vanaeken. “But there is no support at all for above ground, neither among the people nor among the local authorities.”
“Don’t lose time now”
But all is not lost yet, says Vanaeken: if the study work into direct current underground can be done quickly, rapid realization is also possible. “Then it would even seem possible to realize the first phase in West Flanders by 2028-2029, so that the offshore wind energy from the Princess Elisabeth zone can be connected in time. After completion of the cable construction in the second phase through Hainaut, the renewable electricity will come from the North Sea to Courcelles possibly in 2030. There are plans for a similar project to extend the current from Ventilus.
But then there is one condition, says Vanaeken: “Then the Flemish government must now opt for underground direct current connections, and not lose another 2 years until 2024, and then restart anyway.”