Belgian transmission system operator Elia has officially inaugurated its new modular offshore grid (MOG) in a ceremony attended by King Philippe of Belgium.
The platform, located 40km off the coast, will be remotely operated and is linked to the mainland through two 220kV wires provided by Hellenic Cables.
Heerema manufactured the MOG’s substation, with Siemens delivering the HV electrical and gas-insulated switchgear.
“The project was completed in record time: the first agreements were made with the authorities in March 2016, and now the project is ready ahead of schedule – the result of excellent teamwork and flexibility by everyone working on the project,” said Elia chief executive Chris Peeters.
MOG will link Otary’s 309MW Rentel offshore wind farm and the 219MW Northwester 2 project to the mainland.
The latter, which is being developed by Parkwind and Sumitomo, is scheduled to be commissioned in the first quarter of next year.
MOG will also connect to the 487.2MW Seamade development, owned by Otary, Electrabel and Eneco.
Otary includes Socofe, Deme, Power@Sea, Elicio, Aspiravi, Green Offshore, SRIW, and Z-Kracht.