Belgian Offshore Wind Grid Connections[Draft]

How offshore wind transmission assets are planned, constructed, and financed in Belgium under the federal concession model with centralised TSO grid.

Last updated: March 2026 · Sources: FPS Economy, CREG, Elia, RBINS/MUMM · Fact-checked 2026-03-15 (2 iterations)

Installed Capacity2.26 GW

PEZ Pipeline~3.5 GW

2030 Target~5.8 GW

Wind Farms9 operational

Key Regime

Federal Concession + TSO Grid — Federal minister grants domain concessions. Elia builds and owns all offshore grid infrastructure (MOG, Princess Elisabeth Island).

Key Bodies

FPS EconomyCREGEliaRBINS/MUMMFlemish Gov

Key Regulatory Bodies

Body	Role	Key Functions
FPS Economy (DG Energy)	Federal ministry	Administers offshore wind domain concessions. Organises PEZ tenders. Issues cable-laying permits. Advises Minister of Energy on applications
CREG	Federal energy regulator	Issues Green Certificates (1 per MWh). Proposes LCOE/strike prices for CfD. Approves transmission tariffs. Advises on concessions and network development plans
Elia	TSO & offshore grid owner	Sole TSO (20-year designation, renewed Sep 2022). Builds and operates MOG, MOG II, and Princess Elisabeth Island. 8,903 km of HV lines. Green Certificate purchase obligation
Minister of Energy	Federal minister	Grants domain concessions. Issues cable permits. Approves network development plan (jointly with Minister of North Sea). Sets maximum CfD strike price
RBINS / OD Nature / MUMM	Marine science & EIA	Receives Environmental Impact Studies. Produces independent EIA. Recommends to Minister on environmental permits. Coordinates WinMon.BE monitoring programme (since 2008)
FPS Health (Marine Environment)	Environmental permits	Issues marine protection permits via Minister for Marine Environment. Coordinates Marine Spatial Plan (MSP 2020–2026). Administers Natura 2000 marine approvals
Flemish Government / VREG	Onshore permitting	Environmental and spatial planning permits for onshore cable landfall and grid reinforcement (e.g., Ventilus 380 kV line). VREG regulates onshore grid access/tariffs
Belgian Coast Guard	Maritime safety	Coordinates maritime safety around wind farms. Monitors exclusion zones. Joint Flemish-federal body (est. 2003–2005)

Belgium has a constitutionally entrenched federal/regional split: the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over the North Sea (offshore licensing, EIA, grid), while Flanders handles all onshore permitting from the coastline inland. The Ventilus 380 kV line’s Flemish environmental permit has been the primary bottleneck delaying the Princess Elisabeth Zone.

Primary Regime — Federal Concession Model

Belgium operates a federal concession model for offshore wind. The federal Minister of Energy grants domain concessions giving developers the right to build and operate wind farms in designated marine areas. Elia builds and owns all offshore grid infrastructure separately.

How It Works

Step	Actor	Description
1. Marine spatial planning	FPS Health	Marine Spatial Plan designates offshore wind zones (original zone + Princess Elisabeth Zone)
2. Domain concession	Minister of Energy	Grants concession for wind farm development. Open-door (Zone 1) or competitive tender (PEZ)
3. Environmental permit	Minister for Marine Environment	Marine protection permit based on EIA by RBINS/MUMM. 45-day public consultation
4. Cable permit	Minister of Energy	Cable-laying permit for submarine export cables
5. Grid connection	Elia	TSO builds offshore grid hub (MOG/MOG II/Princess Elisabeth Island). Wind farms connect to the hub

Key Legislation

Law	Scope
Electricity Act (29 April 1999)	Primary offshore wind law. Articles 6–7: domain concessions, cable permits, support scheme
Law of 12 May 2019	Amended Electricity Act to introduce competitive tenders for PEZ
Marine Environment Protection Act (20 Jan 1999)	Environmental permits for offshore installations. EIA requirements
Royal Decree of 20 December 2000	Domain concession application procedure and award criteria
Royal Decree of 12 March 2002	Cable-laying permit procedure
Royal Decree of 20 March 2014	Marine Spatial Plan establishing offshore wind zones
Royal Decree of 3 June 2024	New offshore grid framework: Elia builds all PEZ grid; costs fully socialised

Comparison: Belgium vs UK vs Germany

Feature	Belgium (Concession)	UK (OFTO Model)	Germany (TSO Model)
Who plans sites	Federal MSP (FPS Health)	Developer-led (Crown Estate)	BSH via FEP
Who builds grid	Elia (TSO) — MOG/PEI	Developer (transfers to OFTO)	TSO (TenneT / 50Hertz / Amprion)
Who operates grid	Elia (permanent)	OFTO (25-year licence)	TSO (permanent)
Cost recovery (PEZ)	Fully socialised via tariffs	TNUoS charges	Offshore grid levy
Support mechanism	Green Certificates (Zone 1) / CfD (PEZ)	Two-way CfD (AR rounds)	Zero-subsidy / negative bidding
Federal/regional split	Yes — North Sea federal, onshore Flemish	No — single jurisdiction	Yes — EEZ federal, territorial waters Länder

CMS: Offshore Wind in Belgium

Zone 1 & Princess Elisabeth Zone

Zone 1: Original Offshore Wind Zone (2008–2020)

Belgium’s first offshore wind zone (~238 km²) was designated in the Marine Spatial Plan of March 2014. Nine wind farms were built between 2008 and 2020, reaching a total installed capacity of 2,261 MW. Early farms had individual export cables to shore; later farms connected via Elia’s Modular Offshore Grid (MOG) platform.

Support Mechanism Evolution

Vintage	Mechanism	Price	Duration
C-Power, Belwind, Northwind, Nobelwind	Green Certificates (fixed)	€107/MWh (first 216 MW); €90/MWh above	20 years
Rentel	Green Certificates (LCOE-based)	€129.80/MWh	19 years
Norther	Green Certificates (LCOE-based)	€124/MWh	19 years
Mermaid, SeaStar, Northwester 2	Green Certificates (LCOE-based)	€79/MWh	17 years
PEZ (from 2026)	Two-sided CfD	Max €95/MWh (tender)	20 years

Princess Elisabeth Zone (PEZ)

Designated in the Marine Spatial Plan 2020–2026, the PEZ is a 285 km²zone at the border with France, ~45 km offshore. It will add 3.15–3.5 GW across three lots, bringing Belgium’s total to ~5.8 GW.

Lot	Area	Capacity	Status
Lot 1 (Noordhinder North)	~46 km²	700 MW	Tender launched Nov 2024; postponed to Q1 2026
Lot 2 (Noordhinder South)	TBC	1,225–1,400 MW	Planned 2026–2028
Lot 3 (Fairybank)	TBC	1,225–1,400 MW	Planned 2026–2028; delayed ~3 years (HVDC issues)

PEZ Tender Framework

Parameter	Detail
Mechanism	Two-sided Contract for Difference (CfD)
Maximum strike price	€95/MWh
Contract duration	20 years
Award criteria	90% strike price, 10% business model innovation
EU State aid approval	€682 million scheme approved September 2024
Minimum experience	300 MW realised offshore wind (Lot 1)
Commissioning deadline	42 months (max 48) after bid announcement

The Lot 1 tender was launched in November 2024 but postponed by Minister Bihet in July 2025 due to legal uncertainties, an unrealistic calendar, and a vague financial framework. Relaunch planned for Q1 2026.

FPS Economy: Offshore Tenders · A&O Shearman: PEZ Tender Principles

Consenting & Permitting

Belgium’s offshore wind consenting involves three federal permits plus onshore Flemish permits. The federal/regional split means offshore and onshore consenting run on separate tracks.

Federal Permits (Offshore)

Permit	Authority	Description
Domain Concession	Minister of Energy (FPS Economy)	Right to build and operate a wind farm in a designated marine area. Up to 20 years, extendable to max 30. Open-door (Zone 1) or competitive tender (PEZ)
Environmental Permit (Marine Protection)	Minister for Marine Environment	Based on EIA by RBINS/MUMM. 45-day public consultation including neighbouring countries. Construction authorisation (5 years, extendable); operating licence (20 years)
Cable Permit	Minister of Energy	For submarine power cable laying. Impact study on existing grid required. Proof of financial/technical capacity

Regional Permits (Onshore — Flanders)

Permit	Authority	Notes
Environmental permit (onshore)	Flemish Government	For cable landfall, converter stations, onshore grid reinforcement
Spatial planning permit	Flemish Government	For onshore infrastructure siting
Ventilus 380 kV line	Flemish Minister of Environment	Critical onshore reinforcement. 5 permit applications submitted Sep 2025. Decision expected end Apr 2026

Environmental Assessment

Assessment	Authority	Notes
Environmental Impact Study (EIS)	Applicant submits to RBINS/MUMM	Mandatory for all offshore wind projects
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)	RBINS/MUMM produces independently	Formal procedure ~155 days. Recommendations to Minister
WinMon.BE monitoring	RBINS coordinates	Long-term marine ecosystem monitoring since 2008
Natura 2000 assessment	FPS Health	Required for projects near/in Natura 2000 sites

Typical Timeline

Phase	Duration	Description
Marine spatial planning	Multi-year	Government-led zone designation via MSP
Tender process (PEZ)	~12 months	From launch to winner announcement
Environmental permit	6–8 months	EIS submission, EIA, public consultation, ministerial decision
Domain concession	Several months	Application, evaluation, ministerial grant
Onshore permits (Flemish)	12–24 months	Environmental and spatial planning permits
Construction	2–3 years	Wind farm and grid connection
Total (PEZ: tender to power)	~4\u20135 years	42–48 months from bid to commissioning (target)

Norton Rose Fulbright: Belgium Offshore Wind

Grid Connection & System Planning

Elia as Offshore Grid Builder

Elia is Belgium’s sole TSO and builds, owns, and operates all offshore grid infrastructure. The grid model has evolved from individual radial connections (early farms) to centralised hubs (MOG, Princess Elisabeth Island).

Modular Offshore Grid (MOG)

Parameter	Detail
Commissioned	September 2019
Technology	220 kV HVAC switching platform
Capacity	~1,030 MW (4 wind farms: Rentel, SeaStar, Mermaid, Northwester 2)
Export cables	Three 220 kV submarine cables to Zeebrugge (Stevin substation)
Investment	~€400 million
Availability	99.998% (2020); effectively 100% in other years
Energy transported	>14.75 TWh since commissioning

Princess Elisabeth Island (MOG II)

Parameter	Detail
Type	World’s first artificial energy island
Location	~45 km offshore in the PEZ
Capacity	Up to 3.5 GW (PEZ wind farms) + international interconnectors
Technology	Both HVAC and HVDC — first island to combine both
HVDC capacity	Upgraded from 1,400 MW to 2,000 MW
Construction	23 concrete caissons (~22,000 tonnes each). First placed April 2025
Interconnectors	Landing point for Nautilus (BE–UK) and TritonLink (BE–DK)
Investment	Originally €3.6bn; escalated to €7–8bn (HVDC supply chain costs)
EIB financing	€650 million green credit facility (October 2024)
Target ready	First wind farms ~2030

HVDC contracts for the Princess Elisabeth Island were postponed in February 2025 and shelved in June 2025 due to cost escalation. Lot 3 (HVDC-connected) is delayed ~3 years. Lots 1 and 2 (HVAC-connected) proceed on schedule.

Grid Connection Costs

Zone	Cost Model
Zone 1 (original)	Partially socialised: Elia funds up to 1/3 of cable costs (max €25M for ≥216 MW). Developer bears remaining 2/3
PEZ (new regime, RD 3 June 2024)	Fully socialised: Elia builds entire offshore grid. Costs recovered via regulated transmission tariffs from all consumers

Onshore Reinforcements

Project	Specification	Status
Ventilus	380 kV HVAC, ~82 km (Zeebrugge–Avelgem)	5 Flemish permit applications Sep 2025. Public enquiry Feb–Mar 2026. Decision expected end Apr 2026
Boucle du Hainaut	380 kV reinforcement in Hainaut	Facing public resistance. Required for full PEZ integration

Elia: Princess Elisabeth Island · Elia: Modular Offshore Grid

Financial & Commercial Framework

Zone 1: Green Certificate Scheme

Zone 1 wind farms receive federal Green Certificates (1 per MWh of net production) issued by CREG. Elia has a legal purchase obligation at a guaranteed minimum price set by the Federal Government. The dramatic price drop from €107/MWh to €79/MWh across vintages reflects technology cost reductions.

PEZ: Two-Sided CfD

Parameter	Detail
Mechanism	Two-sided Contract for Difference
Maximum strike price	€95/MWh
Duration	20 years
EU State aid approval	€682 million scheme (September 2024)
Green certificates	Not granted to PEZ concessionaires
Consumer protection	Developer pays back when market price exceeds strike price

Grid Cost Recovery

Mechanism	Detail
Offshore surcharge	On electricity bills since 2012 to fund GC purchase obligation
Nuclear levy offset	Two-thirds of offshore surcharge funded via nuclear levy
Solidarity contribution	From 2023: offshore wind revenues capped; excess returned to consumers
PEI infrastructure costs	Classified as essential infrastructure under EU rules; Elia recovers via tariffs over several years

Windpower Monthly: Belgium CfD Auctions

Historical Evolution

2003
First concession zone designated
Belgium designates a 156 km² area in its EEZ for offshore wind.
2008
C-Power Phase 1 installed
First 6 turbines at Thornton Bank (30 MW). Belgium’s first offshore wind electricity fed to the grid in 2009.
2010
Belwind commissioned (165 MW)
Second Belgian offshore wind farm, completed December 2010.
2013
C-Power reaches full capacity (325 MW)
Phases 2 and 3 completed with jacket foundations.
2014
Northwind + first Marine Spatial Plan
Northwind commissioned (216 MW). Belgium adopts MSP 2014–2020, one of the first countries globally to do so.
2017
Nobelwind commissioned (165 MW)
Fifth wind farm in Zone 1.
2018
Rentel commissioned (309 MW)
First farm connected via the Modular Offshore Grid (MOG).
2019
MOG commissioned + PEZ designated
Elia’s MOG platform operational (September). Marine Spatial Plan 2020–2026 designates the Princess Elisabeth Zone (285 km²).
2020
Zone 1 fully built out (2,261 MW)
SeaMade (Mermaid + SeaStar, 487 MW) and Northwester 2 (219 MW) complete. Nine wind farms, 100% on time and budget.
2022
Esbjerg Declaration signed (May)
Belgium among 4 countries committing to 65 GW by 2030, 150 GW by 2050.
2023
Ostend Summit hosted by Belgium (April)
9 countries sign Ostend Declaration: 120 GW by 2030, 300 GW by 2050. Princess Elisabeth Island receives environmental permit (October).
2024
PEZ tender + EU State aid approval
EU approves €682M CfD scheme (September). PEZ Lot 1 tender launched (November). EIB commits €650M for PEI. Nautilus approved by Ofgem (November).
2025
PEI construction + tender delay
First caissons placed at sea (April). PEZ Lot 1 tender postponed by Minister Bihet (July). HVDC contracts shelved (June) due to cost escalation. Ventilus permit applications submitted (September).
2026
Hamburg Investment Pact signed (January)
Belgium signs €1 trillion collective offshore wind commitment. PEZ Lot 1 tender relaunch planned Q1 2026. Ventilus decision expected April 2026.

Current & Planned Grid Connection Systems

Zone 1 — Operational (2,261 MW)

Wind Farm	Capacity	Turbines	Commissioned	Grid Connection
C-Power	325 MW	54	2009–2013	Direct to shore
Belwind	171 MW	56	2010	Direct to shore
Northwind	216 MW	72 × 3 MW	2014	Direct to shore
Nobelwind	165 MW	50 × 3.3 MW	2017	Direct to shore
Norther	370 MW	44	2019	Direct to shore
Rentel	309 MW	42 × 7.35 MW	2018	Via MOG
SeaStar (SeaMade)	~252 MW	—	2020	Via MOG
Mermaid (SeaMade)	~235 MW	—	2020	Via MOG
Northwester 2	219 MW	23 × 9.5 MW	2020	Via MOG

Princess Elisabeth Zone — Planned (~3.5 GW)

Lot	Capacity	Grid Connection	Expected COD
Lot 1 (Noordhinder North)	700 MW	HVAC via PEI	~2029–2030
Lot 2 (Noordhinder South)	1,225–1,400 MW	HVAC via PEI	~2030
Lot 3 (Fairybank)	1,225–1,400 MW	HVDC via PEI	~2033 (delayed)

Capacity Summary

Category	Capacity
Zone 1 operational	2,261 MW
PEZ planned	~3,150–3,500 MW
Total (by ~2030\u20132033)	~5,400\u20135,800 MW
Further ambition (2040)	~8,000 MW

Supranational Dimension

NSEC Leadership

Belgium is a founding member of the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) and has been one of its most active participants. Belgium hosted the Ostend North Sea Summit (April 2023) where 9 countries committed to 300 GW by 2050.

North Sea Summits

Summit	Location	Key Commitment
Esbjerg (May 2022)	Denmark	4 countries: 65 GW by 2030, 150 GW by 2050
Ostend (April 2023)	Belgium (host)	9 countries: 120 GW by 2030, 300 GW by 2050
Hamburg (January 2026)	Germany	€1 trillion Investment Pact. 100 GW by 2050 joint target

Hybrid Interconnector Projects

Project	Partners	Capacity	Target	Status
Nautilus	Elia + National Grid	TBC	2028+	PCI/PMI. Ofgem approved Nov 2024. Study phase
TritonLink	Elia + Energinet	2 GW (up to 10 GW)	2036	PCI. Feasibility confirmed. ~1,000 km via PEI
BE–NO link	Elia + Statnett	TBC	2035	MoU signed Nov 2023. Feasibility study underway

EU Regulatory Framework

Framework	Relevance to Belgium
TEN-E Regulation (EU 2022/869)	Nautilus (PCI/PMI) and TritonLink (PCI). Princess Elisabeth Island as interconnection hub
RED III (2023/2413)	Binding 42.5% EU renewable target. Accelerated permitting timelines
EU Offshore RE Strategy (2020)	300 GW by 2050 across EU. Belgium a key contributor
EU MSP Directive (2014/89/EU)	Implemented via Belgian Marine Spatial Plan
CWE Market Coupling	Belgium in Central Western Europe coupling since 2006. Flow-based since May 2015

Existing Interconnectors

Interconnector	Capacity	Route	Commissioned
Nemo Link	1,000 MW	Belgium–UK (HVDC)	2019
ALEGrO	1,000 MW	Belgium–Germany (HVDC)	2020

EC: North Seas Energy Cooperation · Elia: Nautilus

Reform & Future Direction

Princess Elisabeth Zone Delivery

The PEZ remains Belgium’s primary offshore wind growth vector. Lot 1 tender relaunch is planned for Q1 2026, with Lots 2 and 3 to follow. However, HVDC cost escalation (island costs up from€3.6bn to €7–8bn) has forced a rethink: Lot 3 (HVDC-connected) is delayed ~3 years while Lots 1 and 2 (HVAC) proceed on schedule.

Ventilus — The Onshore Bottleneck

The Ventilus 380 kV line (~82 km, Zeebrugge to Avelgem) is critical for bringing PEZ power onshore. Elia submitted 5 Flemish environmental permit applications in September 2025. The Flemish Minister of Environment must decide by end of April 2026. Without Ventilus, no PEZ wind farm can deliver power to consumers.

Key Challenges

Challenge	Detail
HVDC cost escalation	Princess Elisabeth Island costs doubled to €7–8bn due to global HVDC supply chain constraints. Lot 3 delayed ~3 years
Ventilus permit	Flemish environmental permit for 380 kV onshore line facing strong local opposition. Decision expected April 2026
PEZ tender delays	Lot 1 tender postponed from Nov 2024 to Q1 2026 due to legal uncertainties and unclear financial framework
Boucle du Hainaut	Second onshore reinforcement in Wallonia also facing public resistance

Beyond 5.8 GW

Belgium has discussed expanding to 8 GW by 2040 in the context of REPowerEU. This would require additional marine spatial planning and potentially new offshore zones. The Princess Elisabeth Island is designed as a multi-purpose hub that can also host international interconnectors (Nautilus, TritonLink, BE–NO link), positioning Belgium as a North Sea energy crossroads.

Elia: Princess Elisabeth Island · Belgian Offshore Platform

Key Sources

FPS Economy: Belgian Offshore Wind CREG: Federal Energy Regulator Elia: Princess Elisabeth Island Elia: Modular Offshore Grid Belgian Offshore Platform RBINS/MUMM: Wind Farms CMS: Offshore Wind in Belgium Norton Rose Fulbright: Belgium Elia: Nautilus Elia: TritonLink

Fact Check

This page was fact-checked using automated verification (OpenAI gpt-5.4 with web search). Two iterations were run against the research document, with findings independently verified before corrections were applied.

Iteration	Date	Errors Reported	Verified & Fixed	False Positives	Summary
2	2026-03-15	12	4	8	PEZ concession joint-minister authority, development plan approval clarified, Ventilus public inquiry status updated, tender relaunch softened.
1	2026-03-15	20	10	10	Key fixes: total capacity 2,262→2,261 MW, farm count 8→9, Mermaid 252→235.2 MW, Norther removed from MOG list, cable-laying permit authority corrected.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers should consult primary sources (legislation, regulator publications) for definitive guidance. Information reflects the position as of March 2026.