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Grid issues: Belgium
Plans and Prospects
Offshore areas 1 area exclusive for offshore wind, north east of the Belgian EEZ, bordering the Dutch EEZ.
Planned offshore windpower 1.75 GW
timing 2020
Transmission System
TSOs Elia (> 70 kV)
Control zones and operators Elia (entire country)
Synchronous Zone UCTE
Final electricity consumption (2002) [TWh] 78,4
Generation capacity (2002) [GW] 15,5
Peak load (2002) 13,692
Minimum load (2002) 6
Power Generation Portfolio [GW]
Nuclear 5,76
Thermal (non-nuclear) 8,34
Hydro 1,41
Wind 0,03
others 0,00
Offshore Power Injection
Suited Substations Slijkens, Zeebrugge (Koksijde not considered)
Substation Voltage today each 150 kV
Offshore power limit 350 MW (Slijkens), 300 MW (Zeebrugge)
Grid issues
Grid code requirements Power quality, power control not required but power curtailment, frequency control not required, voltage control (reactive power) voltage and frequency ride through.
Balancing Elia via responsible parties, with penalties
Transmission bottlenecks At injection points and one line inland from Rodenhuize to Heimolen (all 150 kV)
Necessary reinforcements extending two times 400 kV to the coastal substations
Timing of reinforcements to be published in September 2005
External Factors
Import/export/transit transit Fr -- NL affects congestion inland
other factors NorNed connector may affect Dutch import from Be, future of power plant and industry in Gent
Trans Border Capacities
Offshore Cable
Connection, first projects HVAC 150 kV
Landing, first projects drilling under the dune
Best option, long term not yet considered
Connection and energy pricing
Connection charges for DG shallow
Connection charges for offshore wind
Priority access for renewables
Minimum price In the Belgian RE certificate systems the kWh price is split in green and grey component.107 €/MWh for offshore wind certificates over 20yrs via TSO, no minimum price for grey value.

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Updated September 2008