Jan De Nul Group, in collaboration with LS Cable & System, has secured a new contract to connect Princess Elisabeth Island to the Belgian high-voltage grid. This milestone project involves the delivery, installation, and testing of three 220 kV AC cables. These cables will transport renewable energy from the artificial energy island to the onshore high-voltage grid, marking a crucial advancement for both Belgium and Europe in their energy transition efforts.
The artificial energy island, currently under construction off the Belgian coast by Jan De Nul in a joint venture, is set to become a major hub for electricity. It will consolidate cables from Belgium’s second offshore wind zone, the Princess Elisabeth zone, and future cable connections to other European countries around the North Sea, including the UK and Denmark. Situated approximately 45 km from the coast, the island will primarily feature infrastructure for energy transmission, constructed from concrete caissons filled with sand.
As the offshore wind sector continues to grow, countries are exploring increasingly sophisticated methods to connect wind farms to the mainland. Europe is aiming for offshore networks across all its seas, with interconnector cables and energy islands playing pivotal roles. This project’s total capacity will be sufficient to provide green electricity to about 3.5 million Belgian households.
Wim Dhont, Manager Offshore Cables at Jan De Nul Group, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “We are thrilled to have been awarded this groundbreaking project, further solidifying Jan De Nul Group’s position as the go-to reference for the construction of the offshore energy transition. Our versatile fleet enables us to offer a one-stop-shop solution that includes offshore cable laying, dredging, rock protection, civil and environmental works, all with our own equipment and expertise.”
The contract entails comprehensive work on the three 220 kV high-voltage cables, with a combined length of 165 km. Both partners will oversee the entire process, from design and engineering to production, transport, installation, and testing. The installation is scheduled for 2028.
LS Cable will design and manufacture the cables at its factory in South Korea, while Jan De Nul Group will handle the transport, installation, and protection of the cables between the island and the Belgian coast. Jan De Nul’s fleet, including the cable-laying ships Connector and Willem de Vlamingh, and the support vessel Adhémar de Saint-Venant, will be deployed for the task. Their trailing suction hopper dredgers will pre-level the seabed to facilitate cable laying. This collaboration builds on previous successful partnerships in Germany and the Netherlands, showcasing the synergy between the two companies.
