Energy islands are not just a futuristic pipe dream. Belgium’s North Sea minister, Vincent Van Quickenborne, has given environmental approval to what is set to become the world’s first energy island, Princess Elisabeth’s Island. This means that construction can begin next March with expected operations commencing in August 2026.

”A consortium comprising Belgian marine construction companies Deme and Jan De Nul has already started preparing the site where it will build the caissons (concrete foundations) in Vlissingen (North Sea Port),” writes Elia, the Belgian system operator behind the island.

”In the meantime, Elia is putting the final touches on a nature-inclusive design for the island that will be submitted later this year.”

Princess Elisabeth’s Island will be built about 45 km out in the North Sea. In addition to the Belgian grid, the island is planned to be connected to both UK and Denmark. The ambition so far has been that the Belgian island — which will serve as a collection point for surrounding future offshore wind farms — could be connected to the Danish energy island in the North Sea.

If realized, it is expected to be completed in 2033. So far, the tender for the Danish island has been postponed twice. The most recent postponement took place in June and stated that the tender would be launched at an undefined date later this year.

(Translated by DeepL with additional editing by Christian Radich Hoffman)