Belgium experienced recordbreaking wind energy production in February 2020 with increased capacitycoming online in the North Sea. According to the Belgian Offshore Platform(BOP), 804 GWh was produced which corresponds to the annual consumptionof 230,000 households.

The installed capacity of offshore wind in North Sea increased this monthby 60 MW, due to the commissioning of the first wind turbines at the Northwester2 offshorewind farm. Overall capacity increased from 1556 to 1616 MW. Compared toFebruary 2019, installed capacity increased by 430 MW, or 36.5%. This included370 MW from Northerand 60 MW for Northwester2.

Wind conditions also lent a hand in increasing production. The averagecapacity factor in February 2020 was 74% compared to the previous recordset at 70% in December 2015. Over the last five years, the average capacityfactor for February was 53%. BOP stated that with a capacity factor of53%, a production of 570 GWh can be expected production in Februarywas therefore approximately 40% higher this year than expected accordingto the five-year average.

Belgium plans to have installed 2.3 GW of offshore wind power by the endof 2020 at is on track to meet this target with the construction of theNorthwester2, Mermaidand Seastarprojects underway. Tenders for additional capacity are expected to be launchedfrom 2023.

The BOP is a non-profit association of investors and owners of wind farmsin the Belgian part of the North Sea. It was founded in 2011 to advocatethe development of wind energy in the Belgian waters of the North Sea.

For more information on offshore windfarms worldwide, clickhere.

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Record-breaking wind production in Belgium - 4C Offshore