Posted on November 26, 2024
The Dutch government has unveiled draft regulations for its next offshore wind farm permit round, set to take place in September 2025. Developers applying for permits at IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A, IJmuiden Ver Gamma-B, and Nederwiek I-A will be evaluated on their integration of nature-friendly measures and contributions to the onshore energy system. These criteria aim to encourage innovation and strengthen sustainability.
The planned wind farms will collectively generate enough electricity to power over 3 million households. However, permitting for the Nederwiek I-B site has been delayed due to safety concerns regarding a nearby gas transit platform.
For Site Nederwiek I-A, emphasis is placed on minimising environmental impacts and enhancing marine biodiversity, such as creating habitats for fish and other species. For the IJmuiden Ver Gamma sites, the focus shifts toward improving the integration of electricity into the Netherlands’ congested grid. Proposals may include stimulating industrial electrification in South Holland, where the energy will land, reducing strain on the national grid.
Each site will have a capacity of approximately 1 GW, smaller than the 2 GW sites in previous rounds. The Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth reduced site sizes to lower financial risks for developers. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) will oversee the tender process.
