Project information

The HSI Joint Venture, consisting of HSM Offshore Energy, Smulders and Iv has been awarded the contract for the Modular Offshore Grid 2 (MOG2) for the world’s first artificial energy island off the Belgian coast by transmission system operator Elia.

The EPCIC contract (Engineering, Procurement, Construction & Installation and Commissioning) includes the further design and construction of 4 high voltage AC substations (2 x 1050 megawatts, 2 x 700 megawatts) a facility module and a garage.
Engineering, which also includes development of the layout and 3D model of all the MOG2 Transmission Assets located on the Energy Island, will be done from the Iv office in Papendrecht. For prefabrication works Smulders will use its Belgian branches and HSM will use its Schiedam facilities. Final assembly of the modules will take place at the HSM Offshore Energy yard in Schiedam and at the Smulders yard in Vlissingen.

First energy island in the world
Princess Elisabeth Island will be the first artificial energy island in the world that combines both direct current (HVDC) and alternating current (HVAC). The high-voltage infrastructure on the island will bundle the export cables of the wind farms of the Princess Elisabeth zone and at the same time become a hub for future interconnectors with neighboring countries. The energy island will also be built nature-inclusive to promote biodiversity around the energy island. This project is pivotal in connecting Belgium’s future offshore wind farms to the national grid, thereby supporting the country’s commitment to increasing its renewable energy capacity.

The energy island will be located approximately 45 kilometers off the coast and will measure approximately 12 hectares above the waterline. The area provided for the installation of the electrical infrastructure is approximately 6 hectares. The artificial island will be located within the Princess Elisabeth wind zone.

Timeline
Construction of the substations starts in May 2025 and installation on the island will take place from 2027. Construction lasts until Q1 2029. Elia aims to have the installations ready to welcome the first offshore parks in 2030.