Investment Plan for Europe: European support for renewable energy in Belgium creates hundreds of new jobs

The European Union will support the construction of the Rentel wind farm off the Belgian coast with a loan of up to EUR 300 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB). EUR 250 million of the loan will be guaranteed under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Investment Plan for Europe, in which the EIB is the strategic partner of the European Commission. The construction of the new wind farm will generate approximately 1,400 direct jobs, with another 1,400 jobs generated indirectly. A further 100 new permanent jobs will be created when the wind farm becomes operational. European Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, said: “I am very proud that the Investment Plan is supporting such a worthwhile project. When you consider its size, Belgium really is punching above its weight with EFSI financing so far. The renewable energy sector is vitally important for job creation as well as of course for our COP21 objectives, and I welcome the signature of this project today.”