The world's first artificial energy island

Located 45km off the coast, Princess Elisabeth Energy Island becomes the world's first electricity grid in the North Sea, connecting offshore wind farms to Belgium and European countries.

Elia , a Belgian power transmission system operator, is building an artificial energy island in the North Sea to act as a European energy hub.

The energy island will connect offshore wind farms in the Princess Elisabeth Zone to the mainland. The Princes Elisabeth Zone is a Belgian and European offshore wind power region with a planned capacity of 3.5GW.

Spanning 281km², the island comprises three separate areas with wind farms off the Belgian coast. The island will produce and supply electricity to the mainland via undersea cables.

Simulation image of energy island in the North Sea - (Photo: ELIA)

In addition, the island will soon have two power transmission facilities with the UK and Denmark, the company's press release said.

It is also the world's first artificial island to use both alternating current (HVAC) and high voltage direct current (HVDC).

To raise the island, Elia built an outer wall with a series of concrete structures on the seabed and then filled the area with sand, to protect the structures from strong waves, wind, rain and flooding.

The island will also have a port and helipad allowing personnel to visit and carry out maintenance operations.

Power transmission infrastructure, such as AC substations, is also built to minimize energy loss.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2026. Connections to wind farms and the mainland are expected to be completed in 2030.

The energy island will play a key role in meeting Belgium's renewable energy targets and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

On the other hand, the island will also serve as the foundation for a comprehensive offshore power system in Europe, linking national grids together, and is also an important step towards generating 300GW of offshore power by 2050 in Europe.

The European COVID Recovery Fund is funding the energy island, and it has also received a grant from the Belgian government worth around €100 million.

Princess Elisabeth Island will be built about 45km off the Belgian coast.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide Elia Transmission Belgium (ETB) , the operator of Belgium's high-voltage transmission system, with $702 million to build the world's first artificial energy island. According to details provided by ETB, the island will aim to provide Belgium with 3.5 gigawatts of offshore wind power capacity, facilitating the country's transition to green energy, Interesting Engineering reported on October 29.

The funds will be allocated to implement the first phase of the Princess Elisabeth Island project. The ETB also affirmed that the project is essential for the energy transition of Belgium in particular and Europe in general, helping to provide large amounts of wind power from the North Sea to onshore consumption centers. The agreement was signed on 25 October at the island's Caisson in Vlissingen (NL).

According to Elia Group, Princess Elisabeth Island will be built about 45km off the Belgian coast. The project will integrate offshore wind power into the Belgian grid, enough to supply more than 3 million households. The island will reduce Belgium's dependence on fossil fuels and reduce the cost of green electricity. It will also significantly contribute to helping the European Union meet its renewable energy and carbon neutrality targets.

"Princess Elisabeth Island will help strengthen Belgium's and Europe's energy security. This initiative not only strengthens Belgium's energy infrastructure but also strengthens important connections with neighboring countries ," said Robert de Groot, vice president of the European Investment Bank.