Belgian transmission system operator Elia and the Flemish government have jointly proposed plans for a new high-voltage link called Ventilus that would help connect more offshore wind capacity to the Belgium grid.
Ventilus will be a 380kV line across western Flanders with a 6GW capacity comprising several components.
An overhead line would run between the existing Stevin line and the HV subsation at Avelgem, although the exact route has yet to be determined.
A so-called launch notice has been drawn up in close cooperation with stakeholders.
In May and June, residents of the 25 municipalities affected by the project will be invited to information sessions that will be held in 10 locations across West Flanders.
Environmental, agricultural and employers’ organisations will also be involved, together with the local authorities, the developers said.
Interested parties can give their thoughts on the proposal up until the end of June.
Flemish Minister for the Environment, Nature and Agriculture Koen Van den Heuvel said: “Now that we have approval, we are launching this ambitious project. Ventilus will help us to make the transition to sustainable energy.
“If we want to meet our targets, we must invest in renewable energy in the next few years. This goes hand in hand with shoring up and further developing our power grid.
“Only then can we achieve the energy transition and provide consumers with a reliable power supply.
“The Flemish government is making every effort to guarantee a robust and smooth land-use planning procedure so that the offshore wind turbines in the North Sea can be connected in good time.”