219 MW offshore wind farm in Belgium starts commercial operation

The 219 MW Northwester 2 offshore wind farm has started its commercial operation after 10 months of construction in Belgian waters. The project consists of 23 wind turbines producing 9.5 MW each. This wind farm is the first to use the world’s highest-rated V164-9.5 MW turbines in commercial operation. The facility will deliver around 800 GWh a year and cover the power consumption of 230,000 households.

Northwester 2 is a project company holding a 219 MW concession approximately 51km offshore in the Belgian territorial waters. Current shareholders are Parkwind (70%) and the Japanese industrial group Sumitomo Corporation (30%). Parkwind has been in charge of development and construction. The company is headquartered in Leuven (Belgium) and operates the wind farm from the Ostend harbor.

Peter Caluwaerts, Parkwind’s Project Director said: "As we started the offshore construction of our fourth wind farm back in July last year, we could not have imagined the circumstances under which we would be completing this project. Following the powerful storms over the winter that caused some temporary disruption, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to deal with an unprecedented level of uncertainty. We managed to keep the project on track though. Following an excellent dialogue with the Belgian government and a great collaboration with our contractors, all operating procedures were re-designed to continue the construction works, ensuring the health and safety of all people involved and safeguarding their safe return home during this COVID-19 pandemic. Today we can proudly say ‘we did it’. We are grateful to every individual that has contributed to the timely and – most importantly – safe realization of the Northwester 2 project. Everyone has demonstrated exceptional problem solving skills, courage, resilience and determination to successfully complete this project."

This is the seventh wind farm in the Belgian North Sea, which now brings the total offshore energy capacity to 1,776 MW and moves Belgium closer to reaching the goal of supplying 10% of energy demand with offshore wind by the end of 2020.