The 2025 offshore installation campaign for Princess Elisabeth Island, located 45 kilometers off the Belgian coast in the North Sea, has successfully concluded with the placement of the final caisson for this year’s operations.
These massive concrete caissons, each weighing up to 22,000 tonnes, form the foundational outer walls of the world’s first artificial energy island. The campaign mobilized over 300 personnel and a fleet of 15 specialized vessels, including jack-up vessels, supply vessels, and tugboats, to complete the intricate offshore work.
The installation process began in April 2025, when the first two of the 23 caissons were submerged at their designated location. These structures were transported from Vlissingen Port in the Netherlands, traveling approximately 53 nautical miles (98 kilometers) through the Western Scheldt and the North Sea to reach the island site.
Led by Belgium’s grid operator Elia Group, the project is being constructed by TM Edison, a consortium comprising DEME and Jan De Nul. The artificial island is a pivotal infrastructure project designed to connect at least 2.1 GW of offshore wind energy generated in the Princess Elisabeth Zone to the Belgian mainland.
Preparations for the next phase of construction are already in progress, with offshore activities scheduled to resume in spring 2026, weather permitting. Princess Elisabeth Island represents a groundbreaking step in advancing renewable energy infrastructure, reinforcing Belgium’s commitment to sustainable energy and enhancing its offshore wind energy capabilities.