Elia demolishes two 70-tonne high-voltage pylons in Bornem and Puurs-Sint-Amands

Since April 2022, Elia has been working on the line between the “Mercator” high-voltage substation in Kruibeke and the “Bruegel” high-voltage substation in Dilbeek. Currently, the high-voltage grid operator is carrying out works in the municipalities of Bornem and Puurs-Sint-Amands. 

Earlier this month, one transmission line had already been transferred from the old pylon to the newly constructed pylon. Last weekend, it was the turn of the other transmission line. At the same time, the demolition of two 70-tonne pylons, dating back to the 1970s, commenced.

Demolition of two pylons

Last weekend, Elia started the demolition of two 70-tonne high-voltage pylons, one along the N16 regional road in Bornem and another along the railway on the border of Bornem and Puurs-Sint-Amands. The works continued throughout the weekend and are still being carried out today. Earlier this month, the first transmission line had already been transferred from the old pylon to the newly constructed pylon. Last weekend, it was the turn of the other transmission line. During the whole operation, the power on the line has been interrupted. However, the supply of households and businesses remains assured via a diversion on the grid. The high-voltage grid operator aims to have all the works completed by 5 May and after that to continue working on the lines from Buggenhout to Puurs-Sint-Amands and then further northwards to Kruibeke. At the same time, Elia is carrying out upgrades on the southern part of the route, between Buggenhout and Dilbeek. 

Of national importance for security of supply 

The Mercator-Bruegel project is an absolute necessity for our electricity supply. First and foremost, the upgrading of the 380kV grid is necessary in the light of many social transitions. The increasing use, for example, of heat pumps, solar panels and electric cars, and the ever-growing demand for electricity from our businesses, the closure of electricity generation units and the opening of others, means that the high-voltage grid operator has to upgrade the electricity grid. Elia also points to the increasing integration of renewable offshore energy and the need to build interconnections with other countries in order to continue to guarantee our security of supply.