Gramme – Van Eyck

The reinforcement of the high-voltage line between Gramme and Van Eyck is necessary for various reasons. These include the planned increase in interconnection capacity with neighbouring countries and the integration of renewable energy, large amounts of which will be produced at sea. Both will create increasing flows on the transmission system. Moreover, new domestic generation units as well as large-scale storage systems (battery farms) will put additional pressure on the high-voltage grid in the coming years, as will the extension of two nuclear reactors. This, combined with the strong electrification of industry and households, means that the Gramme-Van Eyck high-voltage line must be made resilient for the future.

To increase capacity, Elia is reinforcing the Gramme-Van Eyck high-voltage line with HTLS conductors. This new type of electricity wires can transport more electricity than the current ones. In this way, the supply of electricity will continue to be guaranteed in the future. These electricity wires are heavier than the existing ones so some high-voltage pylons will be reinforced.
 

The Gramme-Van Eyck line was built in the early 1970s and comprises 237 pylons spread over 23 municipalities and has a total length of 103km, 66km of which is in Flanders and 37km in Wallonia. 

The line crosses the following municipalities in Flanders: Tongeren, Riemst, Bilzen, Zutendaal, Genk, As, Maasmechelen, Dilsen-Stokkem and Maaseik.

On the Flemish part of the route, Elia will demolish 4 pylons and then build 5 new ones. Elia will also reinforce the foundations and ironwork of the other existing pylons. Elia will then replace the old electricity wires with the new HTLS conductors. On part of the route, HTLS conductors are already hanging on one side of the high-voltage line, there new HTLS conductors will be added on the other side.

As a socially responsible company, Elia is deeply committed to the environment. It contributes actively to the energy transition and is particularly concerned with preserving biodiversity. It is also developing its grid by working closely with local authorities, local residents and all local stakeholders affected by its infrastructure projects.

For the part of the project in Flanders, an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) is being drawn up by an independent consultancy firm. This study will examine the potential impact of the project on the environment in the broadest sense, i.e. on fauna, flora and people, during both the construction and operating phases.

During the construction phase, Elia takes a number of measures to minimize the impact of the work on local residents and the environment

• Elia restores the site to its original state once work is complete. 

• Elia prefers to set up work depots in existing industrial zones or paved areas to limit disruption for the environment and nature.
• Elia promises local residents that they will always be able to access their homes.
• Work is not performed during the night, so no depots or sites are lit up at that time.
• Site traffic uses the shortest, safest and most accessible routes.

• Q4 2023 – Q4 2024: EIS Procedure

• Q1 2024 – Q2 2024: infomarkets
• 14 April 2025: application for environmental permit
• Q4 2025: obtaining the environmental permit
• Q1 2026-Q4 2030: works

Brochure to local residents - December 2023 (in French)

Sheet: Mast reinforcement (in Dutch)

Sheet: Demolition of an existing overhead line (in Dutch)

Brochure - Een noodzaak voor de energietranistie - March 2024 (in Dutch )

Banners infomarkets (in Dutch)