The Belgian federal government has approved a revised tender framework for the first offshore wind project in the Princess Elisabeth Zone (PEZ), following the cancellation of the original tender process in 2025.
The updated framework extends the maximum construction period from four to five years, introduces a single uniform Contract for Difference (CfD) support mechanism and removes the price cap. It also aligns the tender with the European Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), which aims to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in clean energy technologies.
The government has also set 1 October 2031 as the deadline for the first phase of the energy island to become operational. The energy island will connect the new offshore wind farms to the onshore electricity grid.
Grid infrastructure and the tender process will be developed in parallel to avoid delays in the deployment of additional offshore wind capacity.
The amended royal decree will now be submitted to the Council of State and notified to the European Commission under state aid rules. Once these procedures are complete, the tender for PEZ 1 can be relaunched.
