Demand for electricity in Belgium will continue to rise over the next 25 years. Faced with this challenge electricity grid management company is urging the next government to define a clear strategy to ensure security of supply, be through the use of foreign offshore wind farms or the construction of new nuclear power stations.
With demand for electricity set to double by 2050 the grid management company Elia calls for clear strategy to ensure security of supply
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Elia has carried out a study that looks at the evolution of electricity demand between now and 2050 and identifies the most efficient and low-carbon solutions to meet our electricity needs. Despite an expected 40% drop in overall energy consumption, demand for electricity is set to more than double. The increase will be driven by the electrification of industrial processes, the development of electric vehicles and the adoption of heat pumps as a means of heating our homes and offices.
Current projects, such as the new wind farms in the Belgian sector of the North Sea, will only cover half of future our needs. Without new measures, Belgium will have to import a massive amount of electricity (70 to 90 terawatt-hours) within 25 years.
It is therefore necessary to reduce our dependency on imported electricity. Elia’s study shows that there are different scenarios for the decarbonisation of our electricity production. The installation of more wind turbines and solar panels alone will not suffice to meet our energy needs. The use of foreign wind farms or the construction of new nuclear power stations here will be required in order to meet our future electricity needs. Elia Transmission Belgium’s CEO Frédéric Dunon told VRT News that “In any case, a combination of measures is required”.
Elia has also calculated the total cost of various scenarios (the production costs, infrastructure, security of supply, flexibility, imports) required to meet our long-term electricity needs. “Doing nothing will always be the most expensive option”, Mr Dunon said.
Meeting our future electricity needs will not come cheaply however this is achieved. The total cost of a scenario involving 8 GW from foreign offshore wind farms or 4 GW of power produced by new nuclear power stations is estimated at 20.5 billion euro per annum. Meanwhile, doing nothing would cost 22 billion euro per annum, which is 1.5 billion euro more. The study reveals that the construction of new nuclear reactors will be more expensive than using foreign offshore wind farms.
Prolonging the working life of the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 reactors
Above all, the high-voltage grid operator wants the next federal government to decide on the future energy mix. Elia points out that adapting the electricity grid “will take 10 to 15 years”.
Finally, the study highlights the economic and technical benefits of prolonging the working lives of the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear reactors beyond 2035, and potentially doing the same for other reactors. Elia insists on the need it to be informed in advance of any political decision to this effect.