2023-10-05 02:32:04
Those whose house is less than 200 meters from a new extra-high voltage line will be eligible for compensation. Before, it was up to 135 meters.
The Flemish government announced on Friday an agreement with the Belgian high voltage network manager Elia on theincrease in compensation for residents of the Ventilus project. A revision of the criteria which also applies to the high voltage line project Hainaut Loop.
Flanders notably demanded an extension of the zone within which local residents can ask Elia to buy their house. Federal Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten (Groen) therefore gave Elia the mission of check with Creg, the federal regulator of the energy sector, to what extent compensation might be reviewed – knowing that these compensations are reflected in the prices paid by consumers.
Compensation is increased for new 380 kV high voltage lines, as well as for upgrades of a 150 kV high voltage line to 380 kV (…).
Under Creg supervision
“The Creg has set guidelines for usin particular the fact that these compensations might not exceed 3% of our annual investment plan”, explains Julien Madani, responsible for communications for infrastructure projects at Elia. “On this basis, we negotiated with the Flemish government, and we reached a compromise.” A compromise which must still be approved by the Creg – this might be done by the end of the week – and which will apply to the entire territory.
Compensations are revised upwards for new 380 kV high voltage linesas well as for upgrades of a high voltage line from 150 kV to 380 kV, with different conditions. The Hainaut Loop, a project estimated at 500 million euros and 84.8 kilometers long between Avelgem and Courcelles, will probably consist of a mixture of the two, but everything will depend on the final route. And a section of up to eight kilometers might be buried, a segment for which there will be no compensation.
Those who decide not to sell will benefit from compensation of 25% of the value of the house between 0 and 35 meters, 20% between 35 and 55 meters, 10% between 55 meters and 125 meters and 2.5 % between 125 meters and 200 meters.
A redemption up to 100 meters
For new 380 kV lines, the corridor within which home owners can request the repurchase of their home increases from 35 meters on each side of the axis of the overhead line to 100 meterswhich greatly increases the number of people who might potentially request such a buyout.
Those who decide not to sell will benefit from compensation of 25% of the value of the house between 0 and 35 meters, 20% between 35 and 55 meters, 10% between 55 meters and 125 meters and 2.5 % between 125 meters and 200 meters. It’s a improvement compared to the existing situation for all those between 75 meters and 200 metersand a status quo for those who are closer.
In case of’upgrade of an existing high voltage line from 150 kV to 380 kVcompensation will be 12.5% from 0 to 35 meters, 10% from 35 to 55 meters, and 5% from 55 to 125 meters – which is an improvement for everyone between 75 meters and 125 meters.
Compensation intended for municipalities has also been increased, going from 40,000 euros per kilometer to 375,000 euros per kilometer for new 380 kV connections (…).
Elia declares that it is impossible to estimate, at this stage, how many local residents might be affected. But we are talking, at the very least, regarding several dozen households.
For municipalities too
THE compensation intended for municipalities are also revised upwardsgoing from 40,000 euros per kilometer to 375,000 euros per kilometer for new 380 kV connections, as well as landscape allowances, to 62,100 euros per kilometer.
And in Flanders, the Flemish government announces that it will add another 175,000 euros per kilometer, for a total budget estimated at 38.5 million euros, and which will come from the Flemish Energiefonds from 2027.
The summary
- The Flemish government has announced an increase in compensation for residents of the Ventilus project.
- This revision of the criteria also applies to the Boucle du Hainaut high voltage line project.
- Owners of a house located less than 100 meters from a new 380 kV line will be able to request the purchase of their home. Before, it was 35 meters.
- Compensation for those who decide not to sell is also increased in certain cases.
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