The Spark Delta program aims to contribute to the reduction of CO₂ emissions through electrification and the optimisation of production processes via existing or innovative technology. This allows fossil fuels and raw materials to be replaced by electricity from emission-free sources. The forecast is that the demand for renewable energy will continue to increase significantly with a tipping point around 2025, when the demand will suddenly rise to 2,300 MW.Feasibility studies should provide insight into the supply of and demand for electricity in the SDR region. The impact on the electricity grid will be greatly increased due to the energy transition: Spark Delta’s second goal is, therefore, to provide a robust and cost-effective electricity grid that can transport the exploding supply and demand. Spark Delta is a joint program between the SDR partners Dow, Elia, Enduris, Fluxys, Province of East Flanders, Province of Zeeland, PZEM, North Sea Port, SDR, TenneT, VlAIO, Yara and Zeeland Refinery.

In addition to research into the exploding supply of and demand for electricity, we are committed to creating a robust and cost-effective electricity grid to handle this.

The demand for sustainable electricity offers enormous opportunities, especially in the hydrogen and electricity value chains: through large-scale hydrogen production (Hydrogen Delta), through the production of H₂-based compounds such as methanol or ammonia and for industrial electrification (including Heat Delta, Power2Heat, Power2Products). As with carbon-free hydrogen, electrification measures are the result of the expectation that renewable electricity will increase strongly as an energy carrier. The region is also committed to being a large-scale hydrogen hub. On the supply side, as of 2020, the region will have direct access to thousands of megawatts of wind energy (Borsele I-II-III-IV wind farm), with the potential landing of IJmuiden Ver Alpha in the offing. In addition, there are developments in existing power generation, such as at Doel and Borssele, and with on-site gas-fired CHP units. The forecast for Doel is that production will be reduced to a half from 2025 and to a quarter by 2030. In principle, Borsele will close in 2033, but this is still being examined from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Milestones

• Study into the supply and demand for electricity, to be able to ensure a robust and cost-effective supply of electricity and to explore possibilities for continuous integration of wind and solar energy.

• Facilitating and contributing to the further development of the 380 kV grid within the Terneuzen-Ghent Canal Zone (including via TIKI).

• Facilitating and contributing to a renewable energy hub within the SDR region.

• Facilitating and contributing to additional landing of wind at sea.