DEME and Jan De Nul have launched joint venture TM EDISON to build the world’s first energy island for Elia Group in the Belgian North Sea.
The Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) contract covers the further design and the construction of the Princess Elisabeth Island. The contracts for the high-voltage infrastructure will be awarded at a later stage.
The artificial island sited 45km off the coast will form a crucial link in Belgium’s energy supply and open up the future 3.5GW Princess Elisabeth wind zone. It will also connect to Britain and Denmark via additional interconnectors in the Nautilus and TritonLink projects.
The construction of the foundations of Princess Elisabeth Island will begin in early 2024, with completion planned for mid-2026. Following this, installation can begin of the high-voltage infrastructure needed to bring electricity from Belgium’s future offshore wind zone to shore. Elia aims to ensure all wind farms are fully connected to the mainland by 2030.
The energy island will also be the first building block of an integrated European offshore electricity grid that will connect various hubs and countries together.
Elia Group CEO Chris Peeters said: “This project is a pioneering one for several reasons. It is the most cost-effective and reliable way to bring offshore wind to shore.
“It will be an island that provides options for the future. When we connect it to other countries, the Princess Elisabeth Island will become the first offshore energy hub.”
Jan De Nul Group director Julie De Nul added: “Belgium is a front-runner in the field of offshore wind energy. We are making this clear once again by constructing this energy island.
“The combined experience of Jan De Nul and DEME as offshore specialists in dredging, rock armour and offshore energy is an absolute added value.”
The plan was also welcomed by the Belgian government, and speaking about the project, Federal Minister of Justice and the North Sea Vincent Van Quickenborne commented: “The North Sea will become the engine of our energy independence and the Princess Elisabeth Island will be an essential link in this.”