Belgium builds world’s first green energy island

Belgium launches the construction of 23 large hollow concrete boulders, known as caissons, which will form the basis of an energy hub powered by wind farms on an artificial island “Princess Elisabeth”.

The first elements will be brought into the sea as early as next year, 45km off the Belgian coast. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has pledged to reconcile "climate protection with a prosperous economy" in her second term.

Minister for Energy of Belgium said that she would like to see the bloc make more money available for projects like the energy islandwhich secured a 650-million-euro credit facility from the European Investment Bank last week.Meanwhile, a cost-benefit assessment has started and the government was seeking additional financing, she added.