Belgium’s federal government has halted the long-planned tender for the first Princess Elisabeth Zone, less than two months before bids were due.
The 2GW auction launch had been set for 25 November 2025, with bid submission on 24 August, after four years of preparatory work.
Industry body Ons-Windpark said the move violates the coalition agreement and undermines investment certainty in Belgian offshore wind.
The government cited concerns over onshore grid readiness, yet critics said extending the post-award construction window from 48 to 60 months would have solved the issue.
Ventilus, the high-voltage link needed to land the power, is still targeting mid-2031 after more than a decade in planning.
Ministers intend to relaunch the tender in early 2026, forcing developers to renew permits and align with the EU Net-Zero Industry Act, which applies from 1 January 2026.
The act will give greater weight to non-price criteria such as nature-inclusive design and citizen participation.
Citizen-owned SeaCoop said 32 energy cooperatives have already invested €2 million in the project.
Philippe Awouters of SeaCoop said the delay “shames citizens” and could render their costs unrecoverable.
He warned that scrapping participation rules would punish communities and raise financing costs.
Failure to meet the targets could cost the country up to €100 million a year in emission-credit purchases or fines, the group said.
The organisation urged the federal government to reinstate the tender timetable and preserve citizen participation provisions.