Brussels
Overhauling and restructuring the Brussels grid in two phases: Brussels East and Brussels West
Guaranteeing grid reliability
The overhaul of the Brussels grid is one of many projects included in the Federal Development Plan . As such, all Elia projects have been previously approved by the authorities in a federal plan and/or multiple regional plans. Elia also works closely with the distribution system operators.
Coordinating utilities in Brussels
Public utility companies laying infrastructure underground are legally required to
cooperate very closely
. They strive to limit street works with a view to minimising the disruption caused.
Furthermore,
multiple
authorities
are responsible for issuing various permits according their remit (FPS Economy, Region, municipality) before work even begins. The road infrastructure authorities are always consulted on the choice of route upstream of every project, taking into account any social concerns to be addressed (security of supply, control of investments, impact on mobility and the environment, etc.).
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In the interest of society
The overhaul of the Brussels grid has three key aims:
- Replace infrastructure coming to the end of its service life
- Decommission oil-filled cable connections, as they pose an environmental risk (soil pollution)
- Guarantee the security and reliability of the region's electricity supply while adapting to changes in (current and potential) consumption centres and the location of generation sites
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Coordinating utilities in Brussels
Public utility companies laying infrastructure underground are legally required to cooperate very closely . They strive to limit street works with a view to minimising the disruption caused.
Furthermore, multiple authorities are responsible for issuing various permits according their remit (FPS Economy, Region, municipality) before work even begins. The road infrastructure authorities are always consulted on the choice of route upstream of every project, taking into account any social concerns to be addressed (security of supply, control of investments, impact on mobility and the environment, etc.).
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Environment
Elia is concerned about the environmental impact of its works from a number of perspectives.
By using the grid overhaul to minimise the amount of underground cables, we are limiting the impact of our work on the well-being of Brussels residents and drastically reducing our use of raw materials . We are actively participating in the coordination of worksites in Brussels for the same reason. The Region is currently experiencing a wave of investment that, while vital, is nonetheless inconvenient for local residents and road users. Major efforts are being made to optimise the timetable for the work.
As for the issue of magnetic fields , Elia is not content with just complying very broadly with all the standards and recommendations in force; it also applies the precautionary principle very strictly, as evidenced by the protocol signed with the Brussels-Capital Region for the installation of 150 kV cables.
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The schedule
A protocol specifically covering the installation of 150 kV cables under public roads was also signed with the Brussels-Capital Region in May 2017.
Federal (or regional) plan - Determines the connections to be laid between one point and another, the commissioning date, the estimated budget
Project launch
(Elia and road infrastructure authorities)- Analysis of underground utility infrastructure
- Extensive analysis of the route (topographical surveys, other surveys if required)
- Analysis of how well the route satisfies the objectives of the regional protocol (modification if required)
- Route recorded in the OSIRIS schedule
- Route presented during site schedule handovers (municipal and Regional level)
Road permit
(FPS)- Submission of the complete application
- Various consultations held by the FPS (42 days to submit opinions)
- Royal Decree (incorporating the FPS' opinion and the list of the roads affected by municipality)
Site Coordination Committee - Planning work and details of the phases in which the connection will be laid
- Requests launched in OSIRIS
- Submit to Committee
- Send decisions to Elia and road infrastructure authority (via OSIRIS)
Road infrastructure authority - Contact the road infrastructure authority about the application of specific regulations
- Implementation of practical measures associated with the site (use of roads, mobility, safety)
- Lay the connection section by section
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Documents
Brussels East
Phase one of the grid overhaul focused on the east of the Brussels-Capital Region and involved restructuring the 150 kV connections between the Schaerbeek, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Ixelles substations .
- A connection between the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Charles Quint (Rue Charles Quint in Brussels) substations via the municipalities of the City of Brussels, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Schaerbeek;
- A connection between the Schaerbeek and Charles Quint substations in the municipalities of the City of Brussels and Schaerbeek;
- A connection between the Charles Quint and Pacheco substations that crosses the municipalities of the City of Brussels and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.
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Routes and schedules
Elia will replace the existing connection with three new 150 kV underground connections:
- One between the Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Charles Quint (Rue Charles Quint in Brussels) substations. Completion of this connection is currently under way. It spans the municipalities of the City of Brussels, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert and Schaerbeek.
- One between the Schaerbeek and Charles Quint substations. This connection was completed in August 2015 and runs through the municipalities of the City of Brussels and Schaerbeek.
- One between the Charles Quint and Pacheco substations. This connection is scheduled for completion in early 2019 and crosses the municipalities of the City of Brussels and Saint-Josse-ten-Noode.
Brussels West
Phase two concentrates on the west of the Brussels-Capital Region and involves both overhauling and restructuring the connections between the Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Héliport and Bruegel (in Dilbeek, Flanders) substations.
As was the case in the east of Brussels, the overhaul of the Brussels West grid is intended to significantly reduce (by around 20%) the total length of cables in Brussels. The four connections in question allow a far more substantial reduction in the length of cables.
The latest work, which is taking place in Berchem-Ste-Agathe, should be completed in November 2021 .
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Routes and schedules
The following connections are to be implemented by 2020:
- Bruegel (in Dilbeek, Flanders) to Héliport , running through the municipalities of the City of Brussels, Molenbeek, Koekelberg and Ganshoren
- Bruegel (in Dilbeek, Flanders) to Berchem-Sainte-Agathe (in the municipality of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe)
- Berchem-Sainte-Agathe to Molenbeek (running through the municipalities of Berchem-Sainte-Agathe and Molenbeek)
- Molenbeek to Héliport (running through the municipalities of Molenbeek and the City of Brussels)
Other projects
In parallel with the structural projects in Brussels-East and Brussels-West, the grid is being continuously upgraded due to the ageing of existing facilities and new requirements. In 2021 and 2022 , Elia will work mainly in Brussels-City, Saint-Josse, Molenbeek, Jette and Berchem-Ste-Agathe .
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Routes and schedules
News
Brussels
26 April 2022
Josaphat electrical substation: Installation of a spare transformer following the power breakdown
Following the incident that occurred in early April causing an involuntary interruption of electricity in the municipalities of Schaerbeek and Evere, the situation was restored by the teams deployed on site.
Brussels
08 April 2022
Renovation and renewal of the Josaphat substation: urgent work
In addition to the work done by Elia to renovate and renew the Josaphat substation in Schaerbeek, urgent works must be undertaken as of Saturday, April 9, in order to guarantee the security of supply in the area.
Contact us
If you are affected by a project and want to ask us something, please feel free to contact us.
Our team would be happy to help.
