The FPB’s studies cover 11 main themes: Energy, Environmental economic accounts and analyses, International economy, Labour market, Macroeconomic forecasts and analyses, Public finances, Sectoral accounts and analyses, Social protection, demography and prospective studies, Structural studies, Sustainable development, Transport.
This paper examines what role offshore wind can play in helping Belgium achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone is limited and its exploitation for energy purposes cannot be extended indefinitely. Therefore, this paper looks at the development of joint hybrid offshore wind projects that both provide renewable energy capacity and can serve as interconnectors linking different countries. Two scenarios are defined and studied. They differ in the level of ambition for these hybrid hubs and the necessary electricity supply for a de-fossilised Belgian economy.
Energy holds an important place in our economies. It is a production factor for the manufacturing sector as well as a key element in our everyday life. For instance, it enables us to meet our heating and mobility needs. As a result, the energy question has become a major concern.
This is not without reason: many challenges will have to be taken up in this field in the decades to come, such as:
For a better understanding of the implications of these challenges for Belgium, the Federal Planning Bureau (FPB) suggests two angles of analysis: