A groundbreaking energy island rising from the waves
Princess Elisabeth Energy Island, developed by Elia Group, is a dramatic step forward for renewable energy in Europe. Located in the North Sea off the coast of Belgium, the continent’s first artificial energy island will serve as a central hub for offshore wind power. The wind farms on the island will be connected to Belgium’s transmission grid and enable energy-sharing links with Denmark and the United Kingdom.
Holcim has played a critical role in the construction of the island by supplying ECOPlanet low-carbon cement for the massive caissons that form the island’s foundation. Designed to last 100 years, the caissons were engineered to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Sea, while minimizing the project’s environmental impact through significant CO2 reductions.
Supporting the clean energy transition
Once complete, Princess Elisabeth Island will bundle cables from offshore wind farms in the North Sea to reach a capacity of 3.5 gigawatts per annum, enough energy to power Papua New Guinea for a year.
As a key part of the European climate and energy goals to develop more than 100 gigawatts of offshore energy capacity by 2030, the island will facilitate energy sharing between countries – reducing reliance on fossil fuels and protecting businesses and consumers against inflation in gas and electricity markets.
Protecting marine life
The project integrates a nature-inclusive design to enhance local biodiversity. The foundation of the island includes artificial reefs and oyster beds, providing habitats that support marine life and promoting ecological sustainability alongside renewable energy production.
The durable caissons are built with ECOPlanet cement, significantly reducing the overall carbon footprint of the project and ensuring long-term structural integrity in extreme marine environments.
A world first
As the first artificial energy island in the world, innovation is at the heart of the project. The island and the concrete blocks that make it up are guaranteed to last for a century. They are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including extreme storm waves and salt damage.
The 20-kiloton caissons are now being fabricated on dry land with ECOPlanet cement using a slipforming method. This involves continuous pouring of concrete without pause for 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the Holcim Belgium team on standby to provide quality and logistical support.
A low-carbon bedrock
ECOPlanet, Holcim’s innovative, low-carbon cement has a high sustainability profile while maintaining rigorous performance standards. We use calcined clay and recycled construction demolition materials in its formulations to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and infrastructure. The use of alternative fuels can decarbonize the production process even further.
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