Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hasselt is testing solar panels built into Albert Canal slabs to create clean energy. Led by DVW and VLAIO, the 2026 project aims to cut DVW’s 20 GWh use. Supported by Liliane Stinissen.
AS VRT News reported, Hasselt is starting a project to test solar panels on the Albert Canal. The plan is to put solar panels right into the concrete slabs on the canal’s side. The Flemish Waterway is running the project. They want to determine if they can harness the canal’s energy to generate clean energy. Hasselt was picked because they’re already changing the slabs there.
Liliane Stinissen from the Flemish Waterway said the Albert Canal is perfect for this because the right side gets sunlight all day. He mentioned that this project is part of a larger plan to harness the waterways for clean energy, helping Flanders achieve its climate goals.
What is the goal of Hasselt’s Solar Canal pilot project?
According to officials, putting solar panels on the canal isn’t easy. The panels need to be super strong and built into the side of the canal. They have to handle a lot: heavy use, bad weather, and changing water levels. They also need to be safe for boats and workers.
Stinissen says it’s tricky because the panels must be tough and built into the slabs safely. Engineers are working on a system where the panels are built in, not just put on top. He mentioned that Ii the test in Hasselt works, other canals in Flanders might also use solar energy.
The organisation in charge of Flanders’ waterways, known as DVW, uses a significant amount of energy, approximately 20 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually. This is equal to the electricity usage of over 22 million households over one hour. To decrease its energy consumption and boost sustainability, DVW is working with the Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) on a pilot project in Hasselt.
“If the pilot project is successful and a company is found to help develop the solar panels, we will roll out this technology to all possible waterways,”
Stinissen explains.
“This would allow us to generate energy for all our infrastructure along our waterways. This includes weirs, locks, and buildings. In this way, we are contributing to the Flemish government’s goals of energy-neutral operations.”
The project is due in 2026. Today, July 10, 2025, the Flemish Parliament is talking about how to tell if it worked. They’ll check if the energy savings are worth the cost. They’ll also see how much power the solar panels make. The government wants to know if this can be used elsewhere. They mentioned that this project could decide if these green energy solutions become a regular part of Flanders’ climate plan.
