ABB to strengthen Belgian grid

BELGIUM: ABB will help to increase integration of wind power into Belgium's grid by supplying switchgears and shunt reactors to system operator Elia.

by David Weston 12 February 2015

ABB will supply Gas Insulated Switchgears to the Stevin project

The €31 million contract will see ABB provide its technology to Elia's Stevin onshore grid update.

ABB said its gas-insulated switchgear will be used to increase reliability in the country's energy supply. The shunt reactors increase energy efficiency by "improving power quality" and cutting costs, according to ABB.

The Stevin project includes a new 47-kilometre, double 380kV high voltage line connecting the cities of Zomergem and Zeebrugge in the northwest of the country.

Stevin is expected to help Belgium in reaching its 13% electricity from renewables by 2020 target. It will help integrate Belgium's growing offshore capacity, which currently sits at 706MW.

There are plans for a further six projects, totaling 1.6GW, to be online by 2022.