As a reminder, Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet has, since taking office, been conducting a thorough reassessment of an energy dossier inherited from the previous legislature: the energy island project (MOG II).
The decisions taken today by the Government pursue a twofold objective: to guarantee the country's energy security of supply and to ensure rigorous management of public finances, while avoiding any excessive burden on households and businesses.
A rigorous review to avoid a tariff shock
The energy island project, designed to connect future offshore wind farms in the North Sea and interconnect Belgium with the United Kingdom, saw its estimated cost rise from €2.2 billion to nearly €8 billion, which would have had a direct impact on consumers' bills.
From the moment he took office, Minister Bihet brought together the CREG, the DG Energy and Elia to rigorously reassess the project. This analysis made it possible to identify alternatives that are technically viable, economically advantageous and legally sound.
“Rather than persevering on a ruinous path, we are choosing to reconsider a project whose effects would have directly impacted households' purchasing power and businesses' competitiveness. Our objective is clear: maximise the benefits, limit the risks,” says Mathieu Bihet.
Suspension of the DC infrastructure on the energy island
The Government has decided to suspend the direct current (DC) component of the original project. This decision achieves savings of at least €3 billion.
The construction of the artificial island itself, as well as the alternating current (AC) infrastructure needed to connect future offshore wind farms, had already been awarded under the previous legislature and will continue.
The establishment of a second direct current interconnection with the United Kingdom continues to be studied with our partners.
A good-governance approach to protect consumers
Mathieu Bihet: “Offshore wind energy is and will remain an essential part of our energy mix. However, we had to acknowledge that certain past decisions led to a substantial increase in costs, ultimately borne by households and businesses. I would like to thank Elia, the DG Energy and the CREG for their intense, constructive and fruitful cooperation in the general interest.”
“A sustainable, economically balanced and technically realistic framework: these decisions mark a clear choice in favour of rigorous management of public funds, in a spirit of good governance and collective responsibility,” concludes the Energy Minister.
In summary
The energy island (MOG II)
- Continuation of the already contracted works for the construction of an artificial energy island in the North Sea;
- Continuation of the alternating current (AC) part on the island, linked to the development of the Princess Elisabeth zone, which had already been contracted;
- Suspension of the direct current (DC) infrastructure on the energy island. The ongoing procurement procedures relating to it are being stopped;
- The establishment of a second direct current interconnection with the United Kingdom continues to be studied with our partners.
-> Savings: at least €3 billion