The connection has been successfully commissioned
Following a series of tests carried out in February 2025, the new underground connection between Ciply and Pâturages substations has been commissioned.
The old 2x70 kV connection between Ciply and Pâturages dated back to 1932 and was showing significant signs of wear. This 8.1 km overhead connection, comprising 66 pylons, was dismantled in 2019. It has been replaced by a 150 kV underground connection, approximately 14 km long. While waiting for this new connection to be installed, temporary 10 kV solutions had been put in place by Ores, but these were not sufficient to cover the region's future energy needs.
A complex project and great success for the community
Work on the new underground connection began in 2023 and was completed in December 2024. After several conclusive compliance tests, the new connection is now fully operational.
“There were a number of unforeseen events and the weather was inclement, with a lot of rain throughout most of the project, but we managed and today this essential connection for the grid is in service” says a delighted Benoît Degueldre, Project Leader.
Good news for the community
Charlotte Quevedo, Project Communications Officer, emphasises the importance of this project for the region's future energy needs.
“One of our missions is to provide the infrastructure needed for the energy transition and the decarbonisation of energy systems. To achieve this, we need to make our grid more reliable and modernise it. A reliable grid is essential to ensure a stable electricity supply for homes and businesses. The commissioning of this connection is therefore excellent news for the community.”
Road repairs
Work to repair the roadways used for this project is currently in its final stages and is expected to be completed in April 2025.
The opening of the Ciply-Pâturages connection marks the culmination of many years' work, from the design stage and granting of the necessary permits to its construction and meticulous monitoring. It represents a further step in the modernisation and reliability of the Belgian electricity grid, paving the way for meeting future energy needs.
