Table of Contents
The federal government aims to realise the largest possible share of additional offshore renewable electricity production at the lowest possible social cost. The costs for the development of the additional capacity are substantially reduced by, among other things:
- organising a competitive bidding procedure (tender);
- putting larger plots on the market;
- preliminary studies carried out by the Directorate-General for Energy.
In order to allocate the construction and the operation of additional offshore facilities, the federal government organises a competitive bidding procedure (tender), as is the case in the neighbouring countries. The tender runs in conformity with the law of 12 May 2019 and in accordance with the European state aid rules. The general principles of the tender are established in that law.
In addition, Belgium intends to observe the commitments at European level and within the framework of the Paris Climate Agreement with that new legal framework.
The winning bidder receives permission and the necessary permits for the construction and operation of the offshore installations to produce electricity based renewable energy sources. A total of three tenders are organised, one for each lot in the PEZ. For more information on lot layout, see the page "Lot layout ".
The necessary preliminary studies were carried out preceding the tenders. By means of desktop study and fieldwork, information concerning the environmental conditions in the PEZ was collected. For more information on the preliminary studies, consult the page "Preliminary studies".
Offshore tender Lot 1 (PE I)
On 2 July 2025, the Minister of Energy Mathieu Bihet decided to cancel the ongoing offshore tender for plot PE I in the Princess Elisabeth zone. After a thorough analysis of the legal uncertainties in the current legal framework, the offshore tender for that plot will be relaunched by no later than the end of the first quarter 2026.
Flexible connection
On 25 October 2024, the Commission for Electricity and Gas Regulation (CREG) approved the granting of a flexible connection for injection to the transmission grid of the offshore wind farm in plot Princess Elisabeth I. Based on the CREG's new Code of Conduct, Elia submitted the formal reassessment (XLSX, 869.98 KB) to the CREG for that flexible connection on 23 May 2025. The main conclusion of this reassessment is that 255 MW are now fixed in the first phase (before Boucle du Hainaut is ready).
RD MOG II
RD MOG II is the decree issued in implementation of Article 6/5, §2 of the Electricity Law of 29 April 1999. That decree will be taken after Elia obtains the environmental permits for Ventilus.
State aid
As the current tender regime is under review, the new tender regime will have to be re-approved by the European Commission. The new tender regime will be notified under the State aid framework established by the Clean Industrial Deal (CISAF). Discussions for approval have since started and the notification is in full preparation. The 2-sided Contract for Difference (CfD) is not up for debate.
Investment deduction
The law of 12 May 2024 introduced a new tax regime relating to investment deduction, for investments made from 1 January 2025. The new regime comprises three categories of deduction with fixed rates:
- The basic deduction of 10 %;
- The increased thematic deduction of 40 %;
- The technology deduction of 13,5 % .
The increased thematic deduction of 40 % applies to investments in the efficient use of energy and renewable energy. Those investments concern fixed assets intended for the production of renewable energy and the efficient use of energy, according to a list drawn up by the King. The list of those investments is set out in Annex II of the Royal Decree implementing the Income Tax Code 1992 (hereinafter RD/CIR92), as introduced by the Royal Decree of 20 December 2024.
Investments in Belgian offshore wind farms, designed to produce electricity from wind energy, are considered as being part of that investment list, under category 9 (renewable energy production). They can therefore benefit from the increased thematic deduction of 40 %, subject to a certificate issued by the Federal Minister of Energy.
For investment projects in offshore wind farms that are to be implemented over several taxable periods, the companies concerned can apply for an investment certificate, also to the Federal Minister of Energy, detailing the investments they plan to make. That possibility also applies to candidates wishing to participate in future calls for tenders relating to the construction and operation of offshore installations for the production of electricity in the Princess Elisabeth Zone.
Based on that application, the Minister can now issue the investment certificate, certifying that those investments can benefit from the increased thematic deduction of 40 % over all the taxable periods during which the investment project is spread, based on the investment lists in force during the taxable period in which the application is made. Each year thereafter, the company must request a definitive certificate for the completed part of the project, to be added to the tax return.
The amount of the tax deduction corresponds, in principle, to "a proportion of the investment or cost value of tangible fixed assets acquired as new or made up as new and of new intangible fixed assets, where these assets are allocated in Belgium to the exercise of the professional activity ". The expenses not taken into consideration for the tax deduction are based on the Income Tax Code 1992.
Ventilus
To connect the electricity from new wind turbines to the Belgian high-voltage grid, additional capacity is required. The Ventilus connection forms the missing link in that process. That line runs from the landing point in Zeebrugge to Avelgem, covering approximately 82 kilometers.
To make Ventilus a reality, Elia submitted five environmental permit applications to the Flemish government. On 29 October 2025, all five applications were declared complete and admissible. A public inquiry will take place from 8 November to 7 December 2025. During that period, anyone can submit opinions, comments, and/or objections.
In addition, Elia is organizing seven information sessions along the Ventilus route to inform residents and stakeholders.
Offshore tender Lot 2 (PE II)
No date has been announced yet for the publication of the tender for Lot 2.
Offshore tender Lot 3 (PE III)
No date has been announced yet for the publication of the tender for Lot 3.
Contact
For specific questions regarding the development of the PEZ, please contact the Cell Offshore of the Directorate-General for Energy via the following email address: offshore.info@economie.fgov.be.
