Sweco Belgium
Highest Onshore Wind Turbine in the Country Located in Ghent
Energy producer ENGIE has achieved a new milestone by constructing Belgium’s tallest onshore wind turbine at North Sea Port in Ghent. This impressive turbine stands at 247 meters tall and has a capacity of 6.2 megawatts, surpassing the previous record of 238 meters in the same port area. Sweco was responsible for the permit application, detailed design of the foundation and infrastructure, and the technical report.
Mercatordok Gent © ENGIE
The wind turbine in the Ghent seaport is the highest on the Belgian mainland, with a tip height of 247 meters. For comparison, that’s twice as tall as the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. Taller wind turbines effectively capture more wind. By reaching greater heights, larger blades of over 80 meters can be installed, resulting in a greater potential energy production.
Green Energy Production Reaches New Heights
With an annual production of approximately 17 million kWh, the new wind turbine contributes to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions. It is estimated to save more than 6,000 tons of CO₂ per year. With a capacity of 6.2 megawatts (MW), this turbine can supply green energy to approximately 5,000 households. ENGIE aims to achieve 1,000 MW of onshore wind energy in Belgium by 2030, a substantial increase from the current 600 MW.
Wind Energy in a Primary Zone
The new wind turbine is located at the Mercatordok, on the premises of logistics service provider DFDS, one of the largest integrated shipping and logistics companies in Northern Europe. This port location is ideal for wind energy due to the available space and proximity to major industrial consumers. The turbine is currently mechanically complete. After the installation of control systems and cabling, it is expected to be operational by the end of January 2025.
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