Offshore wind sector urges Belgian government to limit delay after tender halt

Belgium’s offshore wind sector urged the government to limit delays to an offshore wind auction halted by the cabinet, supposedly to avoid costs spiralling out of control.

The Belgian Council of Ministers – the federal cabinet – last week decided to immediately halt the tendering procedure for the first 700MW site of the Princess Elisabeth offshore wind expansion zone.

The auction launched late last year by the country’s previous government brought serious risks, including legal uncertainties, an unrealistic calendar, and a vague financial framework, the energy ministry said. Continuing the auction in its current form would it said expose the state to serious legal and budgetary risks.

“Costs threatened to weigh heavily on the bills of households and businesses," said energy minister Mathieu Bihet said in an announcement. "My priority is to secure the projects and ensure an energy transition with costs under control."

“We must not jeopardise the purchasing power of Belgians.”

The government now plans a new call for tenders by the end of the first quarter of 2026 at the latest, within what it claims is a modernised and more transparent framework.

The energy ministry also said a call for tender for a second site in the same zone will continue, showing that the government wants to develop renewable energy capacity in the North Sea. The previous government had planned to auction off a second site with 1.4GW capacity next year.

“Adjusting a procedure that got off to a bad start does not mean that we are abandoning our ambition. On the contrary," said Bihet. "We are shifting up a gear where this is legally and economically feasible."

“Citizens must not be the victims of a poorly managed transition. We want to develop solid and viable projects, based on a logic of transparency and responsibility.”

The Belgian offshore wind platform (BOP) regretted that the cabinet is withdrawing an ongoing tender after seven months of a lot of work and resources by various candidate investors and suppliers.

“Offshore wind is a ‘no regret’ solution for Belgium given its low LCOE [levelised cost of energy]," said BOP.

It cited a recent study from transmission system operator Elia that it said has "once again shown that there is a need for additional production capacity in Belgium in the short term.”