Wind Power News: Belgium
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Belgium complains to France over Dunkirk offshore wind turbine plan
Belgium has made a formal complaint against France in protest against a 46-turbine wind farm project 10km off the coast of Dunkirk. Belgian Minister for Justice and the North Sea, Vincent Van Quickenborne, complained to the European Commission over the French project. Residents on the Belgian side fear it will cause visual disturbances and obstruct shipping lanes to the UK. The complaint calls for the project to be moved so that it is 17km away from the coastline, rather than . . . Complete story »
Storm shuts down all wind turbines in sea for first time
For the first time since they were placed there, all wind turbines at sea will be shut down as a result of storm Eunice, which is now officially a Belgian storm. The North Sea storm has already resulted in schools closing their doors early, trains, planes and ships being disrupted, and has now also caused all wind turbines at sea to be taken out of action. This was confirmed to Belga news agency by the Belgian Offshore Platform (BOP), the . . . Complete story »
Cuts to offshore windmill subsidies could offset high consumer energy bills
The Belgian government is considering cutting support for offshore wind farms by €177 million this winter and using this windfall to lower household and business energy bills. Energy prices are part of the equation used by the Belgian government when calculating financial support for wind farms. Initially, wind farm operators were due to receive federal subsidies worth €812 million, Belga News Agency reports. But with current energy prices reaching record highs, more money is flowing to wind turbine operators for . . . Complete story »
Opposition against new wind turbines by Flanders-Wallonia border grows
Six proposed wind turbines in the Walloon town of Dalhem, a few metres from the Flemish border, are being met with opposition from people who say the turbines will disturb the beautiful landscape there. The Flemish Minister for the Environment Zuhal Demir and Flemish Minister for Immovable Heritage Matthias Diependaele are the latest to join the opposition against the wind turbines. “The project will cause a fundamental disturbance of the beautiful landscape in the Voerstreek, and the impact on various . . . Complete story »
EU fury as France set to face legal battle from Belgium for Eiffel tower-sized wind farm
Belgium has threatened to sue France for it’s proposal to build a wind farm as high as the Eiffel Tower off the coast of De Panne. Mayor of De Panne Bran Degreick has hit out at France’s eco-friendly plans as the imposing wind farm will restrict views of the horizon and upset homeowners who bought a house for the ocean view. Belgian Justice minister Vincent van Quickenborne said: “A complaint will be lodged with the European Commission because our country . . . Complete story »
French wind farm causes storm in Belgium
Belgium is to take legal action against France over plans for an offshore wind farm that it says will damage its hopes of reopening a post-Brexit ferry line across to Britain. The scheme, which involves placing 46 turbines as high as the Eiffel Tower off Dunkirk, has infuriated the Belgian authorities, who accuse France of a high-handed dismissal of their concerns. The row has done nothing to enhance France’s reputation in Belgium, where football fans celebrated the French team’s elimination . . . Complete story »
Belgium to sue France for getting in the way of its massive post-Brexit project with UK
Belgium is to take legal action against France over plans for an offshore wind farm that is expected to damage hopes of a major post-Brexit project. The Belgian authorities said the plans to build 46 turbines as high of the Eiffel Tower off Dunkirk puts a spanner in the works for the creation of a new ferry route to Britain. They have accused the French of a high-handed dismissal of their concerns in the row that threatens to wreck relations . . . Complete story »
Brussels may get a wind turbine
A 150-metre high wind turbine could be constructed right next to the beltway or “Ring” around Brussels and the canal, and it would be built by Coca-Cola and the energy company Luminus. If the application is approved, the turbine will be located at a site on the Rue de Zuen, behind the IKEA store and the Coca-Cola offices. Its 150 metre height includes the blades, and is similar to the height of the turbines located further along the canal in . . . Complete story »
Electricity prices reach record high in Belgium
Electricity prices skyrocketed to record heights on Monday morning in Belgium due to unfavourable weather conditions. Prices shot up to €2,300 per MegaWatt-hour due to a lack of wind and sun, causing wind turbines and solar panels to barely produce any renewable energy. Solar and wind energy took a record share of 23% on the electricity grid in October as an increasing number of solar panels and wind farms are being put in place in Belgium. In addition, temperatures have . . . Complete story »
Wind power backup and storage batteries explode into flames and send a toxic cloud over the city of Brussels
A wind power storage battery has exploded into flames at a power station located near the city of Brussels. The fire resulted in a cloud of toxic fumes that flew over the city and force thousands of people to stay at home. The battery was part of the first real live testing of power batteries being used to store wind power in Belgium. After less than one month, the test miserably failed with the battery being destroyed by fire and . . . Complete story »
