Belgium is leaning towards a “Contracts for Difference-like” auction model as it prepares to expand offshore wind capacity around its coastline.
Chris Peeters, chief executive of Belgium’s transmission system operator Elia Group (pictured), told the WindEurope 2022 Bilbao conference that political parties are still discussing the final model.
He said: “CfD is for me the best way to develop such a complex environment that we have.
“It’s a very dense positioning of wind given the limited space that we have.”
Belgium is aiming to deliver the first of its new wave of offshore wind auctions in 2023, with successful projects delivered in 2027.
Peeters said that “at least 2.1GW, likely 3.5GW” would be auctioned next year in the Princess Elisabeth Zone, west off Belgium’s coast.
He added the country plans to follow this with an additional 2GW “which is still in design” but will be tendered by 2025, and confirmed Elia would be able to build the grid connections in time.