03/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Investment Bank (EIB) announced on 23 December that it has granted a EUR 125 million loan to Elia, the Belgian transmission system operator, to finance investments in upgrading its high-voltage electricity grid. The EIB loan will be used mainly to increase interconnection capacity at the borders (Belgium-France and Belgium-Netherlands) and on modifications to the grid in Belgium in order to maintain security of supply, while at the same time contributing to the opening up of the electricity market in Europe. Elia will invest some EUR 625 million to upgrade and expand its high-voltage grid by 2009. Adding investment in maintenance and overhaul of facilities, the investment will total EUR 800 million.