Virginie Van de Cotte

As part of the Belgian Council Presidency, Minister Tinne Van der Straeten invited leading industry representatives together with the DGs of the 27 national energy ministries of the Member States to Bruges yesterday, where we discussed the next steps in advancing sustainable #energy #infrastructure, facilitating the international #Hydrogen trade and delivering #offshore renewable energy to all. The #TSOs of the 9 #NorthSea countries are supporting these ambitious goals and are working closely together on concrete implementation proposals to support the delivery of the future offshore #grid infrastructure, which we presented in our latest expert paper 'Unlocking the Potential of the North Seas'.   https://lnkd.in/eZ6gzsvP   #LightingTheWayAheadTogether TenneT, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH, Amprion GmbH, Creos Luxembourg, EirGrid Group, Elia Group, Energinet, Gasunie, National Grid, Réseau de Transport d'Électricité, Statnett SF

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"Projects are over budget and over schedule over and over again" ⌛💹 Pete Harpum nailed it at the OPEX Amsterdam Energy Summit! Here’s what stood out: 🔹 Shortages of materials and talent 🔹 The industry’s tech-phobia 🔹 Project complexity is a beast Despite the hesitation around tech adoption, it’s clear that embracing technology is our golden ticket. It’s not just about keeping up; it’s about leading the pack. Tech streamlines processes, slashes delays, and even tackles the talent crunch. At e2log, we’re all about this transformation. We're helping projects hit their deadlines and budgets, and we're pretty proud of it. Curious how? Let’s chat! #OPEX2024 #Amsterdam #EnergySummit #e2log #ProjectManagement #Logistics #Innovation #SupplyChain #Technology #EPC #Industrial #Transportation

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The Belgian Hydrogen Council (BHC), #NLHydrogen (NLH), and the German National Hydrogen Council (Nationaler Wasserstoffrat, NWR) have joined forces to accelerate the hydrogen economy in the North-West region of Europe.   We are thrilled to announce the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, solidifying our commitment to collaboration and innovation in the hydrogen sector.   This landmark agreement establishes a platform for cooperation among industry leaders, government bodies, universities, research institutes, and civil society. Together, we will spearhead initiatives to drive forward the adoption of hydrogen technologies and promote sustainability throughout our region. We are excited to embark on this journey together, working hand in hand to shape the future of the hydrogen economy in North-West Europe.   How will the European industry benefit from this collaboration? It will yield benefits for the market, technology development, policy frameworks, and stakeholder engagement. By harmonizing regulations, implementing shared infrastructure, and creating an import hub, we can pave the way for the efficient transport of green hydrogen from countries abundant in wind, sun, and space to power the European industry. Not only will this initiative fuel the growth of our Belgian industry, but it will also contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of the entire region. More information: https://lnkd.in/deyXvmX3

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Hydrogen Grid for the Rhine-Ruhr Region Is Growing. Duisburg/Antwerp (energate) – The #hydrogen grid 'Hy.Region.Rhein.Ruhr' is growing. The latest new member of the transformation initiative to ramp up the hydrogen economy in the NRW region is the port of Antwerp-Bruges, the association has announced. #HydrogenNow #HydrogenEconomy #H2 https://fcw.sh/n7FPCg

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Electricity grids form the foundation for clean energy transition and a well-functioning modern society. It is important that the regulatory framework supports cost-efficient anticipatory investments in electricity network as well as the development and utilization of flexibility. It is great to see that there are actions on EU level to resolve this challenge.

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Today, ENGIE Belgium teams started the construction of the Vilvoorde Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)🔋. With an installed capacity of 200 MW, this #battery park, which will be one of the largest in #Europe, will be able to store 800 MWh of energy and return it to the grid for 4 hours. This project, which will be able to cover the electricity consumption of 96,000 households, will soon be completed by the Kallo (100MW / 400 MWh) and Drogenbos (80MW / 320 MWh) battery parks, for which we have already obtained the permits. These projects will contribute to ENGIE's goal of achieving 10 GW of installed battery capacity worldwide by 2030. With the growing share of #RenewableEnergies in the energy mix, the contribution of Battery Energy Storage Systems to ensuring the reliability and security of energy systems is becoming essential. Batteries will make it possible to absorb peaks in renewable energy production and release this energy when production is lower and consumption higher. 👏🏼 Congratulations to all the ENGIE teams involved in developing these flexibility solutions, which will help accelerate the development of #renewables and the #EnergyTransition. #WithENGIE ℹ https://lnkd.in/eYhY2rMQ

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Young employees in the energy transition. Ben Rombouts (TotalEnergies): "The energy transition is broader than just Belgium. Good agreements are needed to ensure a good balance both within Europe, but also globally. In order to maintain European prosperity, companies must also be able to remain competitive." Ben Rombouts Florence Feys Tom CLAERBOUT Open the video here: https://lnkd.in/e2UKCvgK

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How is Elia Group contributing to a sustainable future? ⚡ As the owner of two grid operators in Belgium and Germany, it has been working with Eraneos to build eCO₂grid, which measures and models the carbon intensity of the electricity available across the grid using Google’s #VertexAI. This will help companies make informed decisions about their energy supply and help them reduce their carbon footprint. Find out more in our blog post here ↓ https://google.smh.re/4Urv

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🚀 On September 6th, our colleagues Frank De Bondt and Tom Geyskens proudly represented TÜV AUSTRIA Belgium at the Hydrogen Certification Workshop organized by WaterstofNet at the Port of Antwerp. Frank delivered a compelling presentation on “Practical Experiences with Onsite Inspection of Hydrogen Installations for Certification,” highlighting the crucial importance of safety and compliance in the hydrogen sector. Here are the key points Frank covered: 👉 CE Marking: Understanding which directives apply and why they’re essential. 👉 Safety Requirements: The core standards for ensuring hydrogen infrastructure safety. 👉 PED (Pressure Equipment Directive): Scope, assemblies, and common challenges faced in the field. Interested in learning more? Feel free to reach out or send a DM 🗯 to Frank! #Hydrogen #Sustainability #EnergyTransition #Certification TÜV AUSTRIA Group #HydrogenCertification #GreenEnergy

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Great #team, great #spirit, great #impact – continued? Continued! I started a post like this a year ago… This week the digital & IT leadership team of Energy Networks at E.ON met at Stoen Operator in Warsaw. Yes, continued! Just look at the picture yourself and read below. Big thanks to Michal Maciejewski and Maciej Paśniewski for warm hosting. At E.ON we say: It’s on us to make new energy work. The energy networks are the backbone of the #energytransition for more than 40 million customers across Europe. One priority is to standardize, digitize, and automate. The digital & IT leadership and teams of Energy Networks work on the digital transformation. At Warsaw colleagues from all our Distribution Systems Operators (DSOs) checked our common progress and what we need for diving our digital transformation further. In the recent months we have achieved significant progress with positive impact for our customers and business: Good start with more go lives of common platforms (aka Rocks), scaling digital solutions and leveraging our digital twin of our power grids, and making use of more robot automation (aka Superheroes). Going forward. We must drive our digital business transformation further. Ultimately, the digital transformation shall contribute to keep energy affordable for our customers. Therefore, we worked on how to manage additional business transformation programs more effectively and efficiently. Also, we defined actions how users (i. e. customers, colleagues, partners) can benefit even better from digitization. Our call is to make user centricity a priority starting with development of new platforms and solutions. Knowing a great team with great spirit delivering great impact I am confident to overcome challenges and to master the continued digital transformation.

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For any regulated business, normal procedure would be a competitive bidding organized by the transmission company according to the regulator’s procedures with as outcome a firm project investment amount that doesn’t exceed a maximum amount defined by the regulator. Difficult to understand what went wrong here but the consequence is that the final client will be forced to pay the check through transmission tariff increases. Tripling a budget doesn’t inspire any confidence.

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Today the #MoU to prioritise seamless cross-border cooperation between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany on hydrogen initiatives on a regional scale was signed (https://lnkd.in/dyrfNJZf). "The MoU outlines several key activities to be implemented within the framework of this cooperation, including information #exchange, joint meetings and workshops, collaboration in events, and unified communication and promotion of outcomes."... "The signing of this MoU marks a significant step forward in the collaborative efforts of the Belgian, Dutch and German industry, universities, research institutes, and civil society to drive innovation and foster the widespread adoption of hydrogen technologies in Europe. It also sends a strong signal to the respective governments and the new #EuropeanParliament that collaboration between neighboring Member States will be key to strengthening our #hydrogen market for the future."

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🇧🇪 🇯🇵 Our CEO Nathalie Oosterlinck spoke at the Belgian Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo last night for their 20th annual 'Delighting Customers in Japan' seminar. "Offshore wind is Belgium's best export, alongside chocolate and beer," says Belgian-born Nathalie. Read her insights into Japan's energy transition strategy and how we are working towards it: 🌀Wind energy is a huge untapped resource for Japan - there are 550GW of potential offshore wind energy alone. 📋To achieve carbon neutrality targets, there must be a mix of solutions aimed at decarbonizing and diversifying the energy mix. This requires innovation through the entire value chain. 🤝These targets are only achievable if there is a commitment to change and collaboration. Read more about what we are doing to help aid the energy transition: https://www.jeranex.com/

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The energy transition is unstoppable and ENGIE Belgium wants to help accelerate it which is good for Belgium, good for industries and good for citizens !   This morning, together with the entire management team, we presented to all ENGIE Belgium employees #Energize2030; our new strategy for accelerating the energy transition.   ENGIE has the ambition to lead the acceleration of the energy transition in Belgium and build together with our customers and partners, the carbon-free, reliable and affordable energy system of tomorrow.   We have 3 strategic priorities: RES, FLEX, CLIENTS - Accelerate the development of renewables: aiming for 2.0 to 2.5 GW by 2030. - Invest in flexible capacity: aiming for 5 to 6 GW by 2030. - Maintain our leading position as power and gas supplier and accompany our customers on their energy transition journey promoting the alliance between electrons and molecules.   ENGIE is also safely executing the nuclear program, two historic energy projects: the extended operation of Doel 4 and Tihange 3 for a period of 10 years and the decommissioning of the other nuclear power plants.   In order to reach our objectives, ENGIE has plans to invest up to €4 billion by 2030 in these focused priority areas.   We also want to remain an attractive employer for our 7,500 employees and future talents and to fulfill our social responsibility. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that supports growth and opportunity for all, regardless of gender, background or age.   More information on Engie.be/energize2030/fr Catherine Fiamma MacGregor Thierry Saegeman Pierre Devillers Edouard Neviaski Cedric Osterrieth Nicolas van den Abeele Wim Broos Benedicte Lefevre Didier Léchaudé Denis Dumont Luc Goossens François Detroux Sébastien Wagemans Florence Muls Michael Gillis Griet Heyvaert Mireille Van Staeyen Christophe Demaerel   #withENGIE #Energize2030 #EnergyTransition #RenewableEnergy #Flexibility #Power #Gas

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Like in 2023, Finland is again in the lead of the competition for most often occurring negative prices during H1-2024. This is another symptom of the severe flexibility deficit we currently have in Finland, manifesting itself either in security of supply and affordability concerns or in energy waste. For both, the cure is more flexibility from both demand and supply, not forgetting a need for an adequate national, Nordic and European energy infrastructure.

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👏 Together with around 100 companies and, 23 EU Energy Ministers, I was pleased to sign the #EUSolarCharter as a commitment to support European solar☀ manufacturers.   A special thanks to EU Commissioner Kadri Simson and Minister Tinne Van der Straeten for making this signing happen. The signing is an important moment of recognition. Governments, and the solar sector, have made a high-level promise to European solar manufacturers, acknowledging their critical role in the strategic supply chains⛓ of today and tomorrow.   While at the signing, I took the opportunity to continue to urge rapid action and concrete support measures at the national and EU level.   This means: 👨‍⚖️ Rolling out resilience criteria in public procurement & auctions as soon as possible 🔓 Unlocking subsidy support 💶 Establishing dedicated EU financing for solar – like the EU Solar Manufacturing Facility   The #EUSolarCharter is one chapter in Europe's solar story. Delivering accelerated solar deployment growth is key to ensuring a market for European solar manufacturers – it is important that Ministers also took the opportunity today to discuss Europe’s energy infrastructure and supporting the flexibility of our grid. As we build a solar-led future, policymakers and industry must continue the conversation. Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/eg-uUPKq armin froitzheim SOLARWATT Germany, Frederic Maenhaut Amarenco, Jörg Ebel IBC SOLAR AG, Katharina Luise Eickelberg SMA Solar Technology AG, Michele Bologna Enel Group, Pierre-Emmanuel MARTIN CARBON, Thierry Saegeman, SolarPower Europe   Alexandra Sdoukou, Krzysztof (Chris) Bolesta, Maria Da Graça Carvalho, Sara Aagesen, Leonore Gewessler, Tinne Van der Straeten, Jozef Sikela, Lars Aagaard, Tiit Riisalo, Kai Mykkänen, Roland Lescure, Kaspars Melnis, Dainius Kreivys, Lex Delles, Rob Jetten, Sebastian Burduja, Tomáš Taraba, Bojan Kumer Photo: © Jesse De Meulenaere

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VINCI Energies in Belgium divests its residential PV activities

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A few weeks ago, I had the distinct honor of hosting the ECB Board of Directors: Evangelina Nailenge, Vincia Cloete, Tjama Tjivikua, along with key executives Petrus Johannes and Pinehas Mutota at our NamPower Hydro Power Station in Ruacana. It was a privilege to present our operations and demonstrate how we generate and secure the nation’s electricity supply. Reflecting on the visit, here are some key insights: 1. The board’s strong focus on risk management and sustainability is well-aligned with our commitment to sustainable operations at the Hydropower Station. 2. Witnessing our regulator’s dedication and commitment to Namibia’s energy security was both inspiring and reassuring. 3. Prof. Tjama Tjivikua’s leadership insights, drawn from his tenure at NUST Namibia, resonated deeply. The parallels in our challenges, despite the years apart, emphasize the importance of sustainable approaches in managing and advancing our industries. 4. While the ECB directors learned about our work, I, too, gained valuable perspectives from them, particularly from Board Chairperson Evangelina Nailenge. I look forward to continued learning and collaboration. #Namibia #EnergySecurity #Sustainability

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Many years ago I was part of establishing and delivering for a #jointventure between two large companies in the #energygeneration sector. It was a time of exceptionally intensive work, which was highly enjoyable. Why? We had #purpose We #believed in what we were doing We could see that we were going to #makethingsbetter We had a core #team that drew on each other's strengths We #argued, #disagreed and #respected each other All these years on, we still occasionally catch up, rarely can we all make it; last week we had a great (not quite full) turnout. Finding out how #retirement is going, or the #newbusinessventure or just how our respective children are over an evening in #Edinburgh. As one of the team said when we wound the #JV up, it is rare in a career to work in a great team with such purpose. If you are very lucky, you may manage twice. Some may never experience it. #Teams #WorkingLife #KeepingInTouch #WorkingWithPurpose AI produced image, because the photos always miss someone (and to protect the innocent). Though Bing Image Creator has also managed to chop most of someone out....

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