The Flemish Government has finalised the route of the Ventilus high voltage line that will carry electricity from offshore windfarms inland to supply Belgium’s electricity grid.
The Flemish government had provisionally adopted a plan for the route of the line in July last year. A public enquiry followed, and this ran until October last year. The public enquiry yielded 3,550 responses.
Earlier this year the Flemish Government decided not to make any fundamental changes to the Ventilus plan. The case was than examined by the Council of State and has now been definitively approved.
What is Ventilus?
Ventilus is a high-voltage line that is to cross West Flanders. It should bring green power from the many offshore wind turbines inland and ensure security of electricity supply in the province.
Much of Ventilus will run through existing high-voltage lines, which will be reinforced for this purpose. However, new overhead lines also need to be added. Over a short distance of several kilometres, Ventilus will also run underground.
Many residents living to near the planned overhead lines have been protesting against the Ventilus project since it was first announced. They fear the possible negative health impact of magnetic radiation. The residents argue for Ventilus to be built completely underground. However, studies have shown that this is not yet technically feasible.