During a meeting of the Walloon parliament committee, Willy Borsus, the regional minister of Spatial Planning, criticized the statements made by Tinne Van der Straeten, the Federal Minister of Energy (Groen), in relation to the Ventilus and Boucle du Hainaut projects, calling them “condescending.” Borsus responded by pointing out the power given to the regions through recent reforms, and expressed disappointment in the Federal government’s handling of the Consultation Committee on February 15th. Van der Straeten previously criticized the Walloon government for its delayed request to discuss the Boucle du Hainaut project at the same meeting, and pointed out that Flanders had already chosen the technological approach for the Ventilus project. While the granting of permits is not the responsibility of the Federal government, the ministerial decree in Wallonia is expected to allow for the modification of sector plans to enable Elia’s project to proceed. Borsus confirmed that the government had committed to exploring all feasible technological alternatives, including an underground line.
The statements in the House of the Federal Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) in the context of the Ventilus and Boucle du Hainaut files, are “condescending”, estimated Tuesday, in committee of the Walloon parliament, the regional minister of Spatial Planning, Willy Borsus (MR).
“This condescension does not include the fact that Belgium has undergone some reforms which have given power to the Regions”, quipped the Minister, also regretting the attitude of the Federal government during the Consultation Committee on February 15th. “This Codeco was not very open on the Federal side and that’s an understatement,” he said when questioned on the subject by François Desquesnes, the leader of the Engaged group in the Walloon parliament.
Hainaut loop: the Walloon government is moving forward, to the chagrin of local residents
In mid-March, Tinne Van der Straeten had pointed out the belated nature of the Walloon government’s request to discuss, during the Codeco on February 15, the Boucle du Hainaut, this high-voltage line project carried out by Elia and intended to link Avelgem to Courcelles. She also underlined that Flanders had definitively settled the technological question by choosing an alternating current overhead line for the Ventilus project, of which the Hainaut Loop is an extension.
As for the Federal, “the granting of permits is not its responsibility”, she added, referring the Regions to their work.
In Wallonia, the draft ministerial decree allowing in particular to modify the sector plans so that Elia can carry out its project should be ready at the end of this month. It will officially integrate the government’s commitment to study to the end the possibility of an underground line on the 84 km route, “like any other technological alternative deemed feasible”, confirmed Willy Borsus.
The ongoing debate surrounding the Ventilus and Boucle du Hainaut projects continues to heat up, with conflicting opinions and differing views on the responsibilities of both federal and regional governments. The condescension expressed by the Federal Minister of Energy has not been well received by the Walloon Minister of Spatial Planning, and tensions remain high. However, the Walloon government is making progress and moving forward with its plans, despite the opposition of some local residents. The proposed ministerial decree will allow Elia to carry out its project, with the possibility of an underground line still being considered. It remains to be seen how this will all play out in the coming weeks and months.
