The power transmission system operators (TSOs) of Belgium (Elia) and France (RTE) have strengthened the power interconnection between Avelgem (Belgium) and Avelin (France), installing high temperature, low sag (HTLS) conductors, which will enable to double the transmission capacity of the power line, from 3 to 6 GW. The reinforcement of the power line, through the optimisation of an existing asset (and not the construction of a new line), is expected to improve the security of supply of both countries, strengthen the integrated European power grid and facilitate the integration of renewable power generation into the system.
Belgium is interconnected with the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, the UK, and Germany. In 2021, it exported 23 TWh, mainly to France (7.7 TWh) but also to the United Kingdom (7.2 TWh), the Netherlands (5.2 TWh), Germany (1.8 TWh) and Luxemburg (1.15 TWh), and imported 15 TWh, of which 5.1 TWh came from France and 7.3 TWh from the Netherlands.