Grid operator invests to meet rising industrial demand for electricity
Power grid operator Elia has ordered nearly 1,000km of new cables to strengthen its power grid, the company reported on Friday. The investment, worth 135 million euros, should enable it to meet increasing industrial demand, accommodate growth in renewable energy and replace ageing infrastructure.
Elia predicts that electricity consumption in industry will increase by half by 2030. In addition, a large amount of new generation capacity will have to be added to the grid in the coming years.
This will include additional generation capacity for renewable energy, industrial batteries or the new units planned under the capacity compensation mechanism, part of the federal government’s energy strategy to safeguard Belgium’s security of supply.
The new cables are also needed to keep the energy infrastructure reliable and performing. They will be used in more than 120 projects under Elia’s Federal Development Plan 2024-2034, which aims to realise the energy transition and keep supplies reliable and affordable.
© PHOTO ANP / HOLLANDSE HOOGTE / PETER HILZ
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