Mercator-Bruegel works temporarily on hold between Buggenhout and Dilbeek 

Following an appeal by local residents against the reinforcement of the Mercator-Bruegel high-voltage line, the Flemish Council for Licence Disputes (Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen) decided on 15 June to put the permit for the project on hold. 

The Flemish Council found that the authority that had granted the permit had failed to sufficiently reason the acceptability of the impact of the electro-magnetic fields on children below the age of 15. The authority now has three months to grant (or not grant) a permit with a better reasoning. However, the Council did allow Elia to continue their work on the high-voltage line between the high-voltage station of Mercator in Kruibeke and Buggenhout. This was decided for the benefit of the stability of the grid. The works between Buggenhout and the Bruegel high-voltage substation in Dilbeek have been put on hold for the time being. Elia emphasises that the Mercator-Bruegel project is primordial for our electricity supply. After all, the connection, which forms a central axis through our country, must ensure the integration of renewable offshore energy and the interconnection with foreign countries. The increasing use of heat pumps, solar panels and electric vehicles and the high demand for electricity from our companies necessitate such reinforcements in order to make the grid future-proof.