Belgium to Build New North Sea Wind Farms By 2031

The Belgian Council of Ministers will adopt a framework this Saturday to relaunch bidding for new North Sea wind farms. Belgium currently has 2300 MW of offshore wind capacity, supplying around 10% of its annual electricity consumption. The country plans to add between 3150 and 3500 MW of additional capacity in the Princess Elisabeth zone, divided into three lots ranging from 700 to 1400 MW each.

The current government, led by De Wever, agreed on conditions to restart the bidding process for the first 700 MW lot. Previous plans to launch the bid in late 2024 were delayed, and the previous government cancelled the process in July 2025, seeking a legally sound process.

The new framework removes mandatory citizen participation in wind farm projects, a requirement the current Energy Minister believed discouraged investment and increased costs. The government will maintain a two-way contract for difference subsidy system and has extended the construction deadline to five years, acknowledging supply chain pressures.