Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Wind Country Notes

Belgium
With its heavy reliance on nuclear power, Belgium has been slow to deploy wind turbines. However, the planned closure of its seven nuclear stations (between 2015 and 2025) has prompted discussion of how renewable energies could take their place. At the present time, renewable energy accounts for less than 1% of Belgium's electricity generation.

A demonstration wind farm (21 turbines of 200 kW each, one turbine of 400 kW and one of 600 kW) was established on the eastern pier of Zeebrugge harbour in 1986. Another 600 kW turbine was added in 1999. Apart from the contribution the wind farm makes to the local electricity generation, its main purpose has been to publicise and popularise the concept of wind power.

By end-2005 Belgian installed wind capacity stood at 167 MW; by end-2006 it was reported that it had risen to 193 MW.