Commissioning of Scheldt crossing and upgraded Lillo high-voltage substation

As part of the Brabo II project, a branch line has been constructed on the existing 380-kV overhead line between Doel and the Mercator high-voltage substation in Kruibeke. This branch connects the Lillo high-voltage substation with the existing Doel-Mercator overhead line. The upgraded Doel-Lillo-Mercator line was fully commissioned on 14 August. This is an important milestone for the Brabo II project. 
 

Elia has installed 192-metre pylons on the left and right banks of the River Scheldt in order to integrate the high-voltage substation in Lillo into the Doel-Lillo-Mercator connection. These pylons are the tallest in the Benelux and need to be this high so that vessels on the Scheldt can pass safely beneath the electric cables, which span a distance of 911 metres over the river.  

Various work has been carried out to enable the high-voltage substation in Lillo to be connected to the upgraded 380-kV high-voltage grid in the Port of Antwerp. This includes construction of a new building for transformers, which are equipped with 380-kV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS). The switchgear is insulated using a special SF6 gas, which enables a compacter design, meaning that the installation takes up less space. A new injection transformer 380/150/36 kV has also been installed to support the existing 150-KV high-voltage grid. 

With the commissioning of the Doel-Lillo-Mercator overhead line, the Brabo II project is entering its final phase. Elia is currently working on modernising and upgrading the existing 150-kV high-voltage line between Zandvliet and Lillo to create a 380-kV connection which will form the 380-kV loop around the Port of Antwerp. The commissioning of this overhead line is scheduled for late 2020.