The city objected because it would also have produced "six million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, or the equivalent of three million cars," according to Rik Röttger, alderman for environmental matters.

E.ON has already been granted a production permit by the federal government, and an application for a building permit is currently lodged with the Flemish government. But Antwerp's refusal could stop the project from going any further. A public enquiry on the question resulted in 474 objections, including four petitions. Negative feedback was also received from the Flemish Environment Agency, as well as the Flemish environment ministry.

Meanwhile, Antwerp's port management company has started interviewing contractors for "one of the biggest infrastructure projects of the coming years" - the building of a second lock on the Waasland harbour in Beveren on the left bank of the River Scheldt. Construction is due to begin next year, for completion in 2016. The new lock will have the same dimensions as the Berendrecht lock - the largest in the world at 68 metres wide by 500 metres long - but will be deeper. Construction will involve 740,000 cubic metres of concrete and 20,000 tonnes of steel. "The addition of this large lock is of special importance for the competitive position of the port of Antwerp," said Flemish public works minister Hilde Crevits.