The Princess Elisabeth artificial energy island, spanning 6 hectares, is set to be completed in 2026. It will utilize both direct and alternating current and is a part of the larger Princess Elisabeth Area, an offshore renewable energy production area in the North Sea. Located 45 km from the Belgian coast, the project has received funding from the European Union. The island will serve as a marine power grid, delivering high voltage electricity in the form of direct current (HVDC) and alternating current (HVAC) to the Princess Elisabeth Area, while also acting as a prototype for future network integration.
Engineers used an estimated 2.3 million m3 of sand to create the artificial energy island, which is being constructed in Flushing, the Netherlands, by a team of 300 workers. The construction involves the production of waterproof diving tanks, with each tank taking 3 months to complete. These tanks, made from concrete, form the outer wall of the island and play a crucial role in its construction. The production process is divided into 5 stages, with each stage taking 20 days to complete, including the impressive sliding formwork stage that creates the diving tank walls.
Once completed, each diving tank weighs 22,000 tons and will be transported by a semi-submersible vessel to its installation site in the North Sea. The island construction is set to be finalized in 2026, followed by the installation of electrical equipment. Princess Elisabeth Island is expected to be operational by 2030, offering a sustainable energy solution as countries aim to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. In the North Sea, European countries are focusing on wind energy production, with the need for supporting infrastructure to transmit the renewable energy generated to homes, making projects like the Princess Elisabeth artificial energy island crucial for future energy needs.