Flanders: Insufficient grid capacity for off-shore wind and large PV plants in Belgium

The biggest barrier to offshore wind is the connection to the grid:

Both the transmission as well as the distribution grids are part of regional competence. Since, only Flanders has a coastline, the expansion of the grid to accommodate new offshore wind parks falls squarely in Flemish hands. Obtaining permits takes a lot of time, due to the strong resistance to grid expansion. This is also noticeable for larger PV plants. 

The problem is that new grids must be built underground. The legal maximum threshold for total kms above-ground grid poles has been reached. Every meter built above ground must be removed elsewhere.

Elia received 5 billion EUR in 2020 from the federal government to further expand the transmission grid. However, this development will have a time horizon of 10 years. This remains the major concern point, the largest offshore issue is the 2030 timeframe, in which the capacity is planned to increase from 2GW to 4GW offshore wind. In this regard, strengthening the network is not enough, there has to be further grid development. 

For now, the grid development is realistically planned for 2028.  However, it is unclear how the capacity can increase gradually between 2020 and 2027, while no grid development has yet taken place.