French wind farm causes storm in Belgium

The Dunkirk wind farm project is designed to produce electricity for about a million people when it starts in 2027
The Dunkirk wind farm project is designed to produce electricity for about a million people when it starts in 2027
LOIC VENANCE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Belgium is to take legal action against France over plans for an offshore wind farm that it says will damage its hopes of reopening a post-Brexit ferry line across to Britain.

The scheme, which involves placing 46 turbines as high as the Eiffel Tower off Dunkirk, has infuriated the Belgian authorities, who accuse France of a high-handed dismissal of their concerns.

The row has done nothing to enhance France’s reputation in Belgium, where football fans celebrated the French team’s elimination from the Euro 2020 tournament this week by burning tricolour flags. The Dunkirk wind farm project is designed to produce electricity for about one million people when it starts in 2027.

Supporters say it will help France to achieve President Macron’s goal of generating 40