Northwind is a 216 MW wind power station in Flanders, Belgium. It is operated by Aspiravi NV [100%]. Based on reported annual generation of 1,222 GWh, it can supply roughly 349k homes. It ranks #24 of 95 Belgium power plants by installed capacity. Commissioned in 2013, it is around 13 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 WRI1002260.
Data status
Known data
Calculated from dataset
Not available
Known, modelled and calculated values are kept separate. Missing fields are shown as unavailable.
Data provenance
Source of the capacity and fuel values:
capacity: GEM · 2026 · L100000916005; fuel: WRI GPPD
In context: how this plant compares
At 216 MW, Northwind 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
- 65%, from 1,222 GWh of reported generation
- Generation trend
- 842 GWh in 2015 and 1,222 GWh in 2017 (+45%)
- Highest and lowest year
- 2017: 1,222 GWh; 2016: 758 GWh
- Share of Belgium wind capacity
- 24.6% of 876 MW across 12 plants in this dataset
- Age among peers
- 3 of 7 dated wind plants in Belgium are 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 Aspiravi NV [100%].
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 51.6°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 #1 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
- Belwind Phase 1 · Wind · 171 MW · Flanders
- Thorntonbank - C-Power - Area NE · Wind · 147.6 MW · Flanders
- Thorntonbank - C-Power - Area SW · Wind · 177.6 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 51.6186, 2.8998 from WRI Global Power Plant Database (CC BY 4.0). View on OpenStreetMap.
Frequently asked questions
What type of power plant is Northwind?
Northwind is a 216 MW wind power plant in Flanders, Belgium, commissioned in 2013.
How much electricity does Northwind generate?
Northwind generates about 1,222 GWh of electricity per year.
Who operates Northwind?
Northwind is operated by Aspiravi NV [100%].