Energy (including cables and pipelines)

With its strategy on exploiting the potential of renewable offshore energy, Europe strongly commits itself to offshore renewable energy. The intention is to produce 300 GW of offshore wind energy and 40 GW of wave and tidal energy by 2050 at EU level. By the end of 2020, 5,402 turbines in the European seas were installed and connected to the electricity grid, with a total installed capacity of 25,014 MW. In Belgium, eight wind farms were operational in the same period (C-Power, Belwind, Nobelwind, Northwind, Rentel, Norther, Seamade and Northwester 2), consisting of 399 wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 2,262 MW.

Within the thematic chapter 'Energy', the Compendium for Coast and Sea discusses offshore wind energy, tidal and wave energy, energy storage, submarine pipes and electrical interconnections, the natural gas installations in Zeebrugge and renewable energy in the coastal zone. The thematic chapter gives an overview of the current knowledge on policy and spatial use, as well as socio-economic data, the ecological impact and measures concerning a sustainable practice for these activities on the Belgian part of the North Sea. The international, European and federal regulations applicable to these activities are discussed in more detail under 'Legislation', while the figures and underlying data are made available interactively via the Coastal Portal. More information on the expertise available within the Belgian marine research groups and their relevant research infrastructure can be obtained by clicking ‘Research groups’ and ‘Infrastructure’, respectively.