At the center of this historic project are Marianne Van Gerven and Laurent De Kerf, two expert consultants from Pauwels Consulting, who are helping to coordinate the construction and marine operations essential to bringing the island to life.

A Technical Milestone in the North Sea

Once completed, the energy island will function as a central node in the offshore grid, where high-voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems converge. It will host multiple HVDC converter platforms, enabling the connection of future offshore wind farms to the mainland grid.

With eight subsea cables planned—linking wind farms and the onshore transmission system—the island will play a pivotal role in Belgium’s energy transition and enable potential future interconnections with neighboring countries.

“The scale and strategic importance of this project is unlike anything I’ve worked on before,” says Laurent. “We’re not just building infrastructure – we’re enabling Europe’s offshore energy future.”

Restoring Life Above and Below the Waves

But this engineering feat doesn’t stop at functionality. The project sets a new benchmark in sustainable offshore construction, thanks to its Nature-Inclusive Design (NID)—a collaborative effort with marine scientists and ecologists.

From the early design phase, biodiversity has been a guiding priority. Measures include:

• Ledges on outer storm walls to support breeding grounds for vulnerable seabird species like the black-legged kittiwake.

• Artificial reef structures such as relief panels and complex boulders, offering shelter and feeding zones for fish and marine invertebrates.

• Oyster tables and longlines to support the repopulation of the European flat oyster.

• Scour protection zones with complex rock geometries to create diverse marine habitats.

• A full monitoring program to study the impact and enable adaptive management.

“These elements are not afterthoughts—they’re engineered into the project from day one,” says Marianne. “It’s exciting to work on something where ecology and energy truly go hand in hand.”

Marine & Island Coordination: Where Engineering Meets Execution

The project is divided into two primary zones:

• Marine area: dredging, cable routing, vessel operations

• Island construction zone: concrete caisson structure and platform infrastructure

As Marine and Island Coordinators, Marianne and Laurent ensure all technical and operational activities align with the master plan. They manage dozens of subcontractors, complex logistics, and evolving environmental and safety constraints.

“There are over ten parallel sub-projects running at any given time,” says Marianne. “Each with its own risks, timelines, and interfaces. Our job is to keep everything moving safely and efficiently.”

Drawing on Nautical Expertise

Both consultants bring deep maritime knowledge from years spent at sea—an asset in navigating offshore challenges.

“From vessel inspections and safety audits to emergency planning and operational briefings, our day-to-day tasks are incredibly varied,” Marianne explains.

“But everything ties back to the same goal: risk-controlled execution at sea.”

Laurent adds, “My experience as a navigation officer helps me manage stakeholder communication, safety protocols, and crisis scenarios. Offshore projects demand decisiveness—especially when lives and millions of euros are at stake.”

Powered by Pauwels Consulting

Neither Marianne nor Laurent came across this opportunity by chance. It was Pauwels Consulting’s industry network and insight that matched them with this world-first challenge.

“This project wasn’t advertised. It came through a direct conversation with Pauwels Consulting,” says Laurent.

“They knew my background, and matched me with a challenge that was both technically exciting and personally meaningful.”

Marianne echoes this: “I wasn’t actively searching, but when this came across my desk, it immediately stood out. Pauwels Consulting made the process smooth, transparent, and fast.”

A Culture of Trust and Technical Excellence

Despite the project’s complexity and pace, both consultants emphasize the supportive environment Pauwels Consulting provides.

“There’s a shared sense of purpose here—on land and at sea,” says Marianne.

“Having the backing of a company that understands the realities of offshore work makes a huge difference.”

“From the regular check-ins with our account manager to the broader network of peers working on similar projects, Pauwels Consulting has created a framework where we can focus on what we do best,” adds Laurent.

A World-First, Driven by People

As the world’s first artificial energy island moves from concept to construction, it’s people like Marianne and Laurent—seasoned professionals empowered by a forward-thinking consultancy—who are helping make it real.