Evonik has switched on a major new power upgrade at its Antwerp, Belgium site, commissioning a 150-kilovolt high-voltage substation that dramatically expands the site’s electrical capacity and marks a decisive step in its industrial electrification strategy.
The new facility replaces the previous 36-kilovolt connection, unlocking significantly higher power availability for current operations and future expansion. Evonik says the investment strengthens Antwerp’s role as a key industrial hub while opening the door to further sustainability-driven projects and long-term growth.
The upgrade sits at the heart of a broader push to electrify industrial processes in line with Belgian and European climate goals. With greater capacity, the company can bring more electrical consumers online, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and run electrified systems more efficiently—supporting ongoing CO₂ reduction efforts.
“A reliable and high-performance power supply is of central importance for industry in Belgium,” said Thomas Wessel, Evonik’s Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Relations Director and Board member responsible for sustainability. “With the new high-voltage connection, we are linking industrial transformation with climate protection.”
The project was delivered in close coordination with Belgian transmission system operator Elia.
Highlighting the cross-border cooperation behind the build, Heiko Mennerich, Head of NextGen Technologies at Evonik, said: “The close collaboration between the teams in Antwerp, our colleagues in Germany, and partners such as Elia is a good example of how, as a Group, we manage projects across regions and build a modern, sustainable, and resilient energy supply.”
Evonik views the substation as part of a multi-year modernization program reshaping the site’s power infrastructure. “With the new substation, we are creating the necessary flexibility to increasingly rely on new technologies such as heat pumps and energy-efficient systems,” explained Lieve De Bock, Production Coordinator at Evonik in Antwerp.
Technically, the installation includes two 150-ton transformers and six high-voltage cable links, each roughly one kilometre long. The cables were installed jointly with Elia and partner firms, partly routed underground along the River Scheldt to the substation. Importantly, construction was completed without halting ongoing production.
Elia also underscored the project’s wider significance for Belgium’s industrial future.
“With this project, we are jointly contributing to strengthening Belgium as an industrial and energy hub,” said James Matthys-Donnadieu, Chief Customers, Markets & System Officer of Elia Transmission Belgium. “The cable installation for Evonik is an example of how modern grid connections can support industrial development and the energy transition at the same time.”
