23 Giant Concrete Caissons Now Form the Foundation of Belgium’s Artificial Energy Island

 

23 Giant Concrete Caissons Now Form the Foundation of Belgium’s Artificial Energy Island

Belgium has completed the foundation structure of the Princess Elisabeth Energy Island, being built about 45 kilometres offshore in the North Sea. All 23 enormous concrete caissons are now installed, forming the protective outer shell of the future island. Each weighs around 22,000 tonnes and is up to 32 metres high.

The next stage is to fill the structure with millions of cubic metres of sand and build the island’s electrical infrastructure. Its initial HVAC system is designed to bring up to 2.1 GW of offshore wind power to Belgium’s mainland, making the island a major hub for the country’s expanding North Sea wind industry.

The project is also being designed with marine biodiversity in mind, including new oyster reefs around the structure. Final completion is planned for 2031. While the original concept included both HVAC and HVDC technology, the HVDC component has been postponed, so the island’s final configuration is still evolving.

Source: Jan De Nul / Elia Transmission Belgium

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