A world-first taking shape in the Belgian North Sea

The TM Edison consortium, including DEME and Jan De Nul Group, together with our client Elia Group have started the offshore installation of the Princess Elisabeth Island, the world’s first artificial energy island. After months of preparation and construction at the yard in Vlissingen, the first two concrete caissons, each weighing around 22,000 tons, have been transported over 98 km and successfully installed at sea. These massive caissons form part of the island’s outer structure. 

At the offshore site, the caissons are anchored and lowered with millimetre precision using advanced surveying techniques and real-time monitoring. The next steps include placing rock armour, filling the caissons with sand, and preparing for the installation of the remaining 21 caissons. 
This is a complex maritime operation involving around 150 people, ten vessels and four tugboats - all working in close coordination with the coastguard and nautical authorities. Each installation cycle takes approximately 24 hours and depends on favourable weather and tidal conditions. 

This milestone reflects the expertise and dedication of everyone involved – a big achievement made possible by the close collaboration of all people and teams involved!

Once completed, the Princess Elisabeth Island will serve as a key energy hub connecting future offshore wind farms in the North Sea to the mainland electricity grid, a crucial step in the energy transition.