The future energy island in the North Sea could become a hub for electricity connections between different countries. Several agreements have already been made to investigate the possibility, and now another one has been added.
The Belgian utility company Elia has today entered into an agreement with Energinet to investigate whether it is possible and advantageous to connect Belgium and Denmark with an electricity connection via the future energy island. Energinet is already collaborating with German and Dutch companies on studies of similar international connections.
The energy island in the North Sea will cost DKK 210 billion. DKK, the largest construction project in Danish history.
But according to the CEO of Energinet, Thomas Egebo, it could be just as groundbreaking that the energy island as a concept heralds a new era for large-scale offshore wind in the European green transition, where solutions that concern the whole of Europe are considered from the start of a project.
- An electricity connection between Denmark and Belgium via the energy island in the North Sea will be an excellent example of how the enormous offshore wind resources in the North Sea can benefit the green transition, not only in countries with a large coastline, but also in the large consumption centers on the European mainland, he says, adding:
- I am very pleased to sign this important and exciting cooperation agreement with Elia. Belgium will become a completely new electricity neighbor for Denmark.
Belgium needs to import green electricity
Belgium has a plan to shut down nuclear power in 2025 and focus on a green energy system powered by solar and wind.
With a relatively small coastline and limited access to offshore wind in the Belgian part of the North Sea, Belgium needs to import green energy. The Danish plans for an energy island in the North Sea are thus an obvious match for the transition needs in Belgium.
- The realization of the Belgian-Danish cable would be an important next step towards making our electricity system more sustainable. It would be the first time that our country is connected to a new electricity market that is further away than our direct neighbours, says Chris Peeters, CEO of Elia.
If the electricity connection between Denmark and Belgium becomes a reality, it will cross the waters of four countries and will likely become the world's longest direct current high-voltage cable.
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