EU approves €682m state aid for Belgium’s offshore wind development
The European Commission has approved a €682 million state aid package to support Belgium’s renewable offshore wind energy. The funds will facilitate the construction and operation of a 700 MW offshore wind farm in the Princess Elisabeth Zone in the North Sea, set to generate 2.6TWh of renewable energy annually.
This project will significantly boost Belgium’s offshore wind generation, which reached 7.77TWh in 2023. While Belgium aims to align with the EU’s target of 42.5% renewable energy by 2030, it currently trails behind wind power leaders such as Germany, Spain, and the UK.
The EU’s 2023 revision of the Renewable Energy Directive has helped address permitting delays, though grid connection issues continue to hinder wind projects across Europe.