Boucle de l’Est

The Boucle de l’Est project is a response to two major challenges:

• Challenge no.1: Securing the future of green energy generation in Belgium
  
  The east of the Province of Liège is both highly suited to green energy generation and very active in that field. However, the grid is saturated and cannot accommodate any additional generation.
  
  Many projects have either not gotten off the ground or have not achieved their full potential because the energy could not be delivered to the final consumer.
  
  -    157 MW in generation capacity is currently connected to the grid, while 182 MW is awaiting construction or connection
  
  By upgrading the connection from a 1 x 70 kV line to a 2 x 110 kV line, the Boucle de l’Est project sets out to accommodate renewable energy generated in the region and ensure a successful energy transition.

• Challenge no. 2: Guaranteeing grid reliability
  
  The safety of people and infrastructure and the reliability of the grid are Elia’s top priorities. Elia’s safety policy consists of providing infrastructure that is ever safer for the public and ever more reliable in terms of supply, while also respecting the environment.
  
  With this objective in mind, checks are regularly conducted, both by Elia and by external organisations, to assess the exact condition of the facilities. The results of these checks are then used to determine whether repairs are required or, as in the case of the Boucle de l’Est, plans should be made to replace certain parts of the line that are reaching (Phase 2) or have reached (Phase 1) the end of their service lives.
  
  This is why Elia has decided to replace the entire existing line with new-generation infrastructure that guarantees the safety and reliability of the grid while boosting the supply capacity.

Elia is deeply committed to respecting the environment and protecting it sustainably. With that in mind, it implements innovative solutions geared towards minimising the impact of its activities. Specific actions have been undertaken for each phase of the project.

Consequently, once restructuring work on the province’s grid is complete, the Boucle de l’Est project will have enabled the removal of 171 pylons from the line linking Bévercé, Soiron and Romsée, which is 34.4 km long and was erected in 1930.

• Length of the line: 21 km
• Four municipalities affected: Waimes, Amel, Malmedy and Bütgenbach
• Number of pylons: 93
• Average pylon height: 35 m
• Overhead line switched from one circuit to two
• Voltage increased from 70 to 110 kV
• Areas crossed: 5% residential

Elia has erected 82 pylons made of high-performance concrete and 8 corner and end lattice-framework pylons, as well as installing Belgium’s first 3 composite pylons at Bütgenbach.

The new line follows the same route as the old one.
 
Map of the route by municipality:

• The current Bévercé – Bronrome line was built in 1930 and is nearing the end of its service life.
• The line between Bronrome and Trois-Ponts was erected in 1967 and is in good condition. However, since it is a 70 kV line, the second circuit sorely needed by the grid cannot be installed on it.
• Between Trois-Ponts and Brume, Elia is using the existing pylons, which are fitted with two 220 kV circuits (one of which is currently running at 70 kV, while the other is out of service).

• Investment: almost €33 million
• Overhead line to switch from one circuit to two
• Line power to increase from 70 kV to 110 kV
• 111 pylons to be distributed along the line as follows:
  
  o Bévercé – Bronrome : 82 pylons
  o Bronrome – Coo/Trois-Ponts: 26 pylons
  o Trois-Ponts – Brume: 3 pylons
• Average pylon height: 30 m
• Pylon types: high-performance concrete; steel-lattice
• Areas crossed:
  
  o Residential: 3.6%
  o Rural residential: 1%
  o Agricultural: 48.5%
  o Natura 2000: 43.6%

Phase 2 of the Boucle de l’Est project will entail replacing and upgrading the overhead line on the site of the current connection. There are no plans to change the route at present. 

Map of the route by municipality

Studies

• site traffic – study conducted by Van Egdom, a company specialising in the transportation of abnormal loads. Van Egdom was tasked with determining the best possible route for transporting the pylons, bearing in mind the technical constraints linked to the size of the convoy and the roads to be used;
• access roads – study conducted by Bodarwé, a company specialising in road works, analysing how best to create access roads in the wettest parts of the Fagne fenland to limit damage to the ecosystem.

Fostering biodiversity

Bird flight diverters

• One section between Bronrome and Trois-Ponts: approx. 2 km
• Two sections between Bévercé and Bronrome: approx. 7.8 km

Hunting and nesting seasons

Brochure to local residents - March 2020 (in French)

Brochure to local residents - April 2017 (in French)

Brochure to local residents - September 2016 (in French)

Brochure to local residents - May 2016 (in French)

Brochure to local residents - Octobre 2015 (in French)

Brochure to local residents - June 2015 (in French)