News Mercator-Bruegel

We are currently reinforcing the high-voltage line (380kV) between the Mercator (Kruibeke) and Bruegel (Dilbeek) high-voltage substations. To remove the old conductors, the E40 near Bekkerzeel (Asse) will be temporarily closed during the night of 12-13 September. The road will be closed twice for 30 minutes, with one hour between the start of the first and second blocks. During those times, there will be no traffic at the level of the works.

The Mercator-Bruegel high-voltage line is currently being fitted with HTLS conductors as part of our grid backbone upgrade. These conductors, which can carry more electricity, are now being installed in the municipality of Buggenhout. Once this process is complete, work will continue in the direction of the Mercator high-voltage substation in Kruibeke via Bornem. These works are completely on track.

On 15 June this year, an appeal by local residents prompted the Flemish Council for Permit Disputes (Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen) to quash the permit issued for the reinforcement of the Mercator-Bruegel high-voltage line. 

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. 

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. 

Elia is currently replacing a pylon in the municipality of Bornem as part of the Mercator-Bruegel project. In order to ensure that these works are carried out safely, Elia is placing protective frames over the busy N16 regional road between Mechelen and Sint-Niklaas and the railway that connects these same cities..

Elia is currently replacing the mast arms of two existing high-voltage pylons in Temse and Bornem. This is taking place at a height of 130 metres. The work is part of the upgrade of the existing high-voltage line (380kV) between Kruibeke and Dilbeek and is necessary for the energy transition. The work will take about two weeks. Follow the works on the high-voltage line and pylons via the interactive map.

The Flemish Government has granted the permit for Elia’s ‘Mercator-Bruegel’ project. This project involves Elia reinforcing the existing high-voltage line between high-voltage substations ‘Mercator’ in Kruibeke and ‘Bruegel’ in Dilbeek. The high-voltage line is being equipped with a new type of electricity cable that can transport more electricity. The completion of the work is planned for the end of 2026.

Elia wants to upgrade a high-voltage line running through the municipalities of Kruibeke, Temse, Bornem, Puurs-Sint-Amands, Buggenhout, Londerzeel, Merchtem, Asse and Dilbeek. This line forms the north-south axis of our grid. 

Elia wants to upgrade a high-voltage line running through the municipalities of Kruibeke, Temse, Bornem, Puurs-Sint-Amands, Buggenhout, Londerzeel, Merchtem, Asse and Dilbeek. This line will be equipped with a new type of conductor that can transmit more power.

Elia wants to upgrade a high-voltage line running through the municipalities of Kruibeke, Temse, Bornem, Puurs-Sint-Amands, Buggenhout, Londerzeel, Merchtem, Asse and Dilbeek. In light of the energy transition, this line will have to be able to transmit more electricity in the future.

On Tuesday 2 February 2021, Elia organised a digital information session about the Mercator-Bruegel project.

Elia is upgrading the north-south axis of the Belgian power grid between the Mercator substation in Kruibeke and the Bruegel substation in Dilbeek. To inform local residents about the project and the works, Elia is organizing a digital information event on Tuesday 2 February 2021.