Brugge Blauwe Toren-Waggelwater

The transition to a carbon-neutral energy future is one of the most important challenges that our generation is facing. The ambitious climate objectives and geopolitical context have led Elia to accelerate the energy transition. One key to the success of the energy transition is the timely realisation of the grid infrastructure required, which will ensure the transmission of renewable electricity production and the interconnections with other North Sea countries, etc. So, Elia is working on the development of a robust and reliable high-voltage grid in Belgium.

In and around Bruges, electricity demand from households is increasing (due to an increase in heat pumps and electrical vehicles, etc.) and demand from companies for connection capacity is increasing too. This Elia project will ensure that industry in the region is able to continue to develop in the future.

Elia is laying a new underground high-voltage cable between two high-voltage substations: Brugge Blauwe Toren in the Blankenbergse Steenweg and Brugge Waggelwater in the Waggelwaterstraat. Elia is laying the cable via open trenches. Where possible, Elia will use directional drilling to keep disruption to a minimum.

Elia is always mindful of the local area when carrying out works. The high-voltage system operator takes a range of measures intended to mitigate disruption and impact on the local area.

• Work will only take place during the day, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Elia guarantees that homes and businesses will always be accessible during the works.
• If local residents are set to experience a temporary increase in disruption for a specific reason, Elia or its subcontractor(s) will always individually notify those affected.
• If normal traffic has to be diverted, the diversions will be agreed with the road authority and clearly communicated to local residents.
• Once work is complete, the land is always restored to its original state.

• October 2024: submit application for environmental permit
• April 2025: start works
• February 2026: end works

Information flyer – Aanleg ondergrondse elektriciteitsverbinding (in Dutch)

Information flyer – Pose de câbles électriques souterrains (in French)

Preliminary information meeting (dec 2024) - banners (in Dutch)