Fluxys received a permit from Minister Brouns for the construction of a new gas pipeline between Zeebrugge and Lievegem. This gas pipeline is intended to double the transit capacity for gas to Germany – which contradicts our climate plans and ignores the declining gas demand. Therefore, Greenpeace Belgium, Bond Beter Leefmilieu, and Dryade are appealing to the Council for Permit Disputes.
The construction of this gas pipeline between Zeebrugge and Lievegem is the second part of a longer route totalling nearly 100 kilometres. The first part between Desteldonk and Opwijk was put into operation in 2024. This project was initiated in 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, to ensure the energy supply of Belgium and the surrounding countries.
But since then, the situation has completely changed, states Angelos Koutsis from Bond Beter Leefmilieu. “Gas consumption in Belgium and its neighbouring countries has decreased significantly, and so has the transit to those neighbouring countries. The European Commission anticipates a further decline, but neither Fluxys nor the government takes this into account. The climate objectives only allow for new fossil infrastructure in exceptional cases; in this case, there is a complete lack of justification or assessment.
Fluxys further states that the pipeline could also be used for the transport of hydrogen in the long term. Mathieu Soete from Greenpeace points out that Europe warns against the construction of too many networks.“There is great uncertainty about the future demand for hydrogen. The risk of fossil lock-in or stranded assets is therefore real, but this dossier does not take this into account in any way.”
Finally,Elias Van Marcke from Dryade notes that “a further expansion of fossil gas infrastructure threatens to impact vulnerable households with higher network tariffs. The declining gas demand leads to an increase in network tariffs, in order to continue financing the depreciation of the infrastructure. This motivates even more users to move away from gas. The remaining users are the least financially capable, yet they are the ones presented with the bill.”