Elia authorized to build two pylons in Hamois, Ciney and Gedinne

A royal decree of September 23, 2026, grants Elia Asset SA an amendment to the declaration of public utility 235/50650 of September 21, 1973, to construct two new pylons and relocate three at a voltage of 380 kV. The act is published in the Belgian Official Gazette of October 5, 2026, page 52957, under reference C − 2026/007248. It covers the territory of the municipalities of Hamois, Ciney, and Gedinne, in the province of Namur.

The text appears in the “Electrical Connections” section of the Belgian Official Gazette, under the title “Declaration of Public Utility 235/50650bis”. It is therefore not a new declaration, but a supplement to the one granted more than fifty years ago to the electricity transmission system operator. The act is published under the header of the Federal Public Service Economy, SMEs, Middle Classes and Energy, the federal department responsible for electrical connections.

An amendment grafted onto a 1973 declaration

The initial declaration of public utility dates back to September 21, 1973. It had been issued to the company now known as Elia Asset, whose company number is 0475.028.202. The amendment published this October 5 bears the number 235/50650bis, indicating that it is added to the existing framework without replacing it.

The mechanism of the declaration of public utility allows a network operator to have the public interest of an electrical infrastructure recognized before occupying private land. Publication in the Belgian Official Gazette makes the act enforceable against third parties and paves the way for the described works.

Two new pylons, three relocated

The amendment concerns the following technical characteristics:

• Construction of two new pylons;
• Relocation of three existing pylons;
• Voltage of 380 kV;
• Frequency of 50 Hz;
• Encroachment on or under unbuilt private land.

The municipalities concerned by the route are:

• Hamois;
• Ciney;
• Gedinne.

Unbuilt private land concerned

The wording of the decree expressly targets “unbuilt private land that is not enclosed by walls or other equivalent fences.” This precision delimits the scope of the authorized occupation: built parcels or those enclosed by walls escape the encroachment as described in the act.

The provision mentions neither compensation, nor execution deadline, nor construction schedule. Only the identity of the beneficiary, the nature of the works, their electrical characteristics, and the territorial scope appear in the publication.

Scope

For the owners of the plots located along the route of the three municipalities, the amendment paves the way for the installation or relocation of extra-high voltage structures on unbuilt land. The official reference to be consulted is C − 2026/007248, published in the Belgian Official Gazette of October 5, 2026, page 52957.

Source: Belgian Official Gazette of October 5, 2026, p. 52957, act C − 2026/007248.