Belwind Phase 1 — Belgium

Belwind Phase 1 is a 171 MW wind power station in Flanders, Belgium. It is operated by Parkwind NV [70%]; Sumitomo Corp [30%]. Based on reported annual generation of 539 GWh, it can supply roughly 154k homes. It ranks #29 of 95 Belgium power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2010, it is around 16 years old — relatively modern. As a non-combustion source, it has no direct CO₂ emissions from generation. In context, wind supplies about 18.8% of Belgium's electricity; the national grid averages 150 gCO₂/kWh (72.0% low-carbon) (2025).

Plant data: WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0), id WRI1002212.

Data provenance

Source of the capacity and fuel values:

capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000915931; fuel: WRI GPPD

In context: how this plant compares

At 171 MW, Belwind Phase 1 is well above the median wind plant in Belgium (25 MW). Technically it is described as Offshore hard mount. Wind turbines convert moving air into electricity; output is variable and site-dependent, and modern turbines deliver some of the lowest-cost new generation on many grids.

Capacity comparison computed from the WRI Global Power Plant Database; fuel-type context is general engineering background.

Key facts

Load factor

36%, from 539 GWh of reported generation

Generation trend

588 GWh in 2015 and 539 GWh in 2017 (−8%)

Highest and lowest year

2015: 588 GWh; 2016: 529 GWh

Share of Belgium wind capacity

19.5% of 876 MW across 12 plants in this dataset

Age among peers

1 of 7 dated wind plants in Belgium is older

Calculated from the capacity and generation records in this dataset (WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0)).

Reported generation trend

Annual generation (GWh), WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0).

Owner

Operated by Parkwind NV [70%]; Sumitomo Corp [30%].

Local climate & thermal context

This wind plant converts the kinetic energy of wind into electricity through turbine rotors. It sits in a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen Cfb) — Northern Hemisphere, latitude 51.7°N — which shapes how much energy it can produce and how its output varies through the year.

Monthly mean temperature

Heating degree-days here run 13% above the median power plant in this dataset — a proxy for how much extra energy heated equipment must replace through its surfaces in winter.

Climate heat-demand index: 57/100 — this site sits in the mid third of the power plants we cover by heating degree-days.

Climate normals: WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000 monthly normals, 10 arc-min, CC BY 4.0); zone: Köppen-Geiger world climate classification (Kottek et al. 2006, 0.5° grid). Degree-days & heat-demand index computed by PowerAtlas — a modelled heat-demand proxy, not a measured site figure.

Site climate & environmental severity

This site sits in a corrosive environment (estimated ISO 9223 class C4 — High), with humidity / wetness the leading environmental stress.

Indicative estimate via the ISO 9223:2012 informative method (atmospheric corrosivity from temperature, time-of-wetness and airborne salinity), using WorldClim climate normals, the Köppen-Geiger class and coast distance. Indicative, not a measured corrosion rate.

How it compares & nearby plants

The #3 largest wind power plant of 12 in Belgium by capacity.

Belgium has 12 wind power plants in this dataset, together about 876 MW of capacity.

Nearby power plants

• Northwind · Wind · 216 MW · Flanders
• Thorntonbank - C-Power - Area SW · Wind · 177.6 MW · Flanders
• Thorntonbank - C-Power - Area NE · Wind · 147.6 MW · Flanders
• ZEEBRUGGE WIND · Wind · 12 MW · Flanders
• WM Park Powerport Zeebrugge · Wind · 12 MW · Flanders
• Zeebrugge 2 Fluxys · Gas · 40 MW · Flanders

Location

Coordinates 51.66, 2.8 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.

Frequently asked questions