Offshore wind energy met 9% of Belgium’s total electricity demand between November 2019 and March 2020, a 50% increase on the annual average in 2019.
The figures, compiled by the Belgium Offshore Platform (BOP), recorded an average monthly production of 639 gigawatt hours among six offshore wind farms in the Belgium portion of the North Sea.
February 2020 was a record month with a production of 803GWh due to “exceptionally favourable” wind conditions.
During the winter storms Ciara and Dennis, the majority of the wind farms’ turbines continued to produce electricity.
On 29 February 2020, Belgian offshore wind generated a record 36GWh, representing 14.5% of Belgium’s total electricity consumption on that day.
Capacity factors at Belgium’s offshore wind farms reached an average of 56% between November 2019 and April 2020, compared to 30% in non-winter months, BOP found, rising to 72% in February.
The average capacity factor in 2019 was 38.4%.
Compared to the winter period 2018-2019, offshore wind farms produced 60% more electricity this winter, said BOP.
BOP general secretary Annemie Vermeylen said: “This seasonal increase in wind generation is well aligned with the increase in electricity demand in winter.
“Offshore wind farms produce more during the periods in the year when we need electricity the most.”
“Due to rapidly advancing technology and new wind farm installations, winter production will also increase next year and will continue to make an increasingly significant contribution towards peak winter consumption.”
BOP represents key players in the country’s offshore wind industry, including Engie, Eneco, Elicio, DEME Group, Parkwind and C-Power.