Wind power in Belgium
Encyclopedia
Wind power in Belgium
depends partially on regional governments (Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region
, Walloon Region
) and partially on the Belgian federal government
. Wind energy producers in both the Flemish and Walloon regions get green certificates but not with the same conditions. In 2009 996 GWh of electricity was produced. On Monday November 23, 2009, at 4:30 AM local time, wind electricity peaked at 554 MW, when national consumption was 5,614 MW. That day, Flemish onshore production was 235 MW, Flemish offshore production 30 MW and Walloon production was 279 MW.
report. In 2008, Belgium consumed 88 TWh of electricity (excluding electricity that was not transported on the high voltage grid) operated by Elia
.
Wind turbines are mainly installed in the Flemish Region and Walloon Region.
According to the GEMIX
report, published on October 9, 2009 and commissioned by Minister Paul Magnette
, off-shore wind potential is 5.4 TWh per year and on-shore wind potential is 2.8 TWh per year. That would be 2.1 GW for offshore wind and 1.1 GW for onshore wind turbines.
(2004-2009), and Freya Van den Bossche
(2004-2009).. This report was partially based on research conducted by VITO
.
The region holds over 100 wind turbines, producing about 260 GWh annually, and is planning to produce about 900 GWh annually from 2010. The Flemish Region wants 25% of distributed electricity to come from renewable energy
. In 2015, total planned capacity is 1.416 MW from off-shore wind. The Vrije Universiteit Brussel
is conducting research to find the best places to install wind turbines.
Companies such as Colruyt
and Nike
have invested in wind energy. Colruyt's turbines produce 2.3 GWh annually. Vlaamse WindEnergie Associatie (VWEA) or "Flemish Wind energy association" is developing wind installations. The Bligh Bank Offshore Wind Farm
is expected to produce 330 MW, or 1.1 TWh annually. The first half of the farm (165 MW) was completed on 9 December 2010, and the second half is expected to be fully operational in 2012. Thorntonbank Wind Farm
phase I was completed in 2009 and has a capacity of 30 MW. The third and last phase, planned for 2015, will produce 300 MW and produce 1 TWh annually. Other off-shore projects include Eldepasco (216 MW) and North of Bligh Bank (600 MW).
among more than 800 families who live very close to wind turbines in West Flanders. The results were better than expected.
In 2005, installed capacity of 50 MW produced 71 GWh. In 2007, capacity increased to 29.9 MW for an annual energy output of 280 GWh.
Greenwind built a 25 MW park of 10 turbines of 2.5 MW in Froidchappelle.
Windvision is building an 11 turbine, 66 MW park in Estinnes
The largest wind turbines in Belgium are 11 Enercon E-126 wind turbines near Estinnes, each with a total height of 198.5 metres and a generation power of 6 MW.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
depends partially on regional governments (Brussels-Capital Region, Flemish Region
Flemish Region
The Flemish Region is one of the three official regions of the Kingdom of Belgium—alongside the Walloon Region and the Brussels-Capital Region. Colloquially, it is usually simply referred to as Flanders, of which it is the institutional iteration within the context of the Belgian political system...
, Walloon Region
Walloon Region
The Walloon Region, commonly called Wallonia, is one of the three federal Regions of Belgium, and its capital is Namur. It comprises, as defined by Article 5 of the Constitution of Belgium, the provinces of Walloon Brabant, Hainaut, Liège, Luxembourg and Namur...
) and partially on the Belgian federal government
Belgian federal government
The Cabinet of Belgium is the executive branch of the Belgian federal government, consisting of ministers and secretaries of state drawn from the political parties which form the governing coalition. Formally, the ministers are appointed by the King...
. Wind energy producers in both the Flemish and Walloon regions get green certificates but not with the same conditions. In 2009 996 GWh of electricity was produced. On Monday November 23, 2009, at 4:30 AM local time, wind electricity peaked at 554 MW, when national consumption was 5,614 MW. That day, Flemish onshore production was 235 MW, Flemish offshore production 30 MW and Walloon production was 279 MW.
Background
The Belgian State committed to generate 13% of its energy (i.e. electricity and heating) from sustainable sources by 2020. Wind energy potential of 8.2 TWh is 47% of the 17 TWh, total renewable potential by 2020, according to the GEMIXGEMIX
The GEMIX is a report, completed on September 30, 2009 and published on 9 October 2009, and commissioned by the Belgian Minister Paul Magnette. The complete title in French is Quel mix énergétique idéal pour la Belgique :Analyse aux horizons 2020 et 2030 ?...
report. In 2008, Belgium consumed 88 TWh of electricity (excluding electricity that was not transported on the high voltage grid) operated by Elia
Elia System Operator
Elia System Operator SA is an electric power transmission system operator of Belgium.-History:Elia was created as a result of the legal unbundling in the electricity market. On 28 June 2001, Elia became the independent limited liability company. It was appointed as the federal transmission system...
.
Wind turbines are mainly installed in the Flemish Region and Walloon Region.
According to the GEMIX
GEMIX
The GEMIX is a report, completed on September 30, 2009 and published on 9 October 2009, and commissioned by the Belgian Minister Paul Magnette. The complete title in French is Quel mix énergétique idéal pour la Belgique :Analyse aux horizons 2020 et 2030 ?...
report, published on October 9, 2009 and commissioned by Minister Paul Magnette
Paul Magnette
Paul Magnette is a Belgian politician for the PS and former political science professor at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles ....
, off-shore wind potential is 5.4 TWh per year and on-shore wind potential is 2.8 TWh per year. That would be 2.1 GW for offshore wind and 1.1 GW for onshore wind turbines.
Brussels-Capital Region
Brussels-Capital Region is an urban area. There is a study for the possibility of having wind power.Flemish Region
The Flemish Region published various Beleidsnota energie, under Kris PeetersKris Peeters
Kris Peeters is a Flemish politician and member of the Christian Democratic and Flemish party who is currently Minister-President of Flanders, the northern region of Belgium....
(2004-2009), and Freya Van den Bossche
Freya Van den Bossche
Freya Van den Bossche is a Belgian, Flemish politician and daughter of prominent former Belgian politician Luc Van den Bossche. She is member of the SP.a political party, and she was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Budget and Consumer Protection in the Belgian federal government...
(2004-2009).. This report was partially based on research conducted by VITO
Vito
Vito is an Italian name of disputed origin, usually thought to originate from Latin "vita", meaning "life",, and also corresponding to the English and French Guy , or Italian and Spanish Guido...
.
The region holds over 100 wind turbines, producing about 260 GWh annually, and is planning to produce about 900 GWh annually from 2010. The Flemish Region wants 25% of distributed electricity to come from renewable energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable . About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from...
. In 2015, total planned capacity is 1.416 MW from off-shore wind. The Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel is a Flemish university located in Brussels, Belgium. It has two campuses referred to as Etterbeek and Jette.The university's name is sometimes abbreviated by "VUB" or translated to "Free University of Brussels"...
is conducting research to find the best places to install wind turbines.
Companies such as Colruyt
Colruyt
Etablissementen Franz Colruyt N.V. - Établissements Franz Colruyt S.A., usually known simply as Colruyt is a Belgian family company that is one of the major players in the country's retail network. Founded in 1925 by Franz Colruyt, the group today operates a number of retail brands, most...
and Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
have invested in wind energy. Colruyt's turbines produce 2.3 GWh annually. Vlaamse WindEnergie Associatie (VWEA) or "Flemish Wind energy association" is developing wind installations. The Bligh Bank Offshore Wind Farm
Bligh Bank Offshore Wind Farm
The Belwind Wind Farm is located on Bligh Bank, from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, and will be built in two phases. When completed, it is expected to have a 330 MW production capacity and an estimated annual output of 1.1 TWh. Phase 1 has a 165 MW production...
is expected to produce 330 MW, or 1.1 TWh annually. The first half of the farm (165 MW) was completed on 9 December 2010, and the second half is expected to be fully operational in 2012. Thorntonbank Wind Farm
Thorntonbank Wind Farm
The Thorntonbank Wind Farm is an offshore wind farm, off the Belgian coast, in water ranging from deep. Electricity production started in early 2009, with a capacity of 30 MW...
phase I was completed in 2009 and has a capacity of 30 MW. The third and last phase, planned for 2015, will produce 300 MW and produce 1 TWh annually. Other off-shore projects include Eldepasco (216 MW) and North of Bligh Bank (600 MW).
Wind turbine opinion survey
In September 2010, a survey was held by the Hogeschool West-VlaanderenHogeschool West-Vlaanderen
The Hogeschool West-Vlaanderen , abbreviated as HOWEST, is a university in West-Flanders, a province of Belgium....
among more than 800 families who live very close to wind turbines in West Flanders. The results were better than expected.
- Before building the turbines, 59.3% were satisfied
- After building the turbines, 68.3% were satisfied
- When asked if more turbines may be built, 83.9% agreed
Walloon Region
As of September 2009, the region featured 27 wind parks and 117 wind turbines. Installed capacity was 206 MW, producing about 458 GWh annually. Capacity may double in early 2010, given building permits for 85 more wind turbines with capacity of 224 MW.In 2005, installed capacity of 50 MW produced 71 GWh. In 2007, capacity increased to 29.9 MW for an annual energy output of 280 GWh.
Greenwind built a 25 MW park of 10 turbines of 2.5 MW in Froidchappelle.
Windvision is building an 11 turbine, 66 MW park in Estinnes
Estinnes
Estinnes is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006 Estinnes had a total population of 7,413. The total area is 72.73 km² which gives a population density of 102 inhabitants per km²....
The largest wind turbines in Belgium are 11 Enercon E-126 wind turbines near Estinnes, each with a total height of 198.5 metres and a generation power of 6 MW.
Sources
- Energie 4, n°11, September 2009, http://energie.wallonie.be/fr/trimestriel-energie-4.html?IDC=6065,