Offshore wind

The global energy transition is a cross-sectoral and cross-border system issue. To successfully limit the effects of climate change the global community needs to work together. Not only by agreeing on national and international pollution reduction targets, but also by coming together by sharing knowledge, experience and resources to accelerate the development and implementation of clean technologies to reach our targets. The Netherlands, as one of the most densely populated and industrialised countries in the world, has vast ambitions to speed up the global energy transition in partnership with other countries.

The North Sea is an excellent place to install wind turbines for a number of reasons; its relatively shallow waters, favourable wind patterns and good access to ports and energy-consuming industries. Besides this, the costs of offshore wind energy have dropped substantially in recent years, making it the cheapest large-scale source of renewable energy.

Globally, by 2030, 54% of installed energy capacity will be renewable. The offshore wind capacity alone is expected to surge to over 234 GW by 2030 (in 2019 it stood at 29.1 GW). When combined with solar energy, this mounts to almost 40% of renewable energy. As of 2021, the total installed capacity of offshore wind power in the Netherlands stands at 2.5 GW. By 2023, we should see an increase to at least 4.5 GW. The speedy expansion is due mainly to the Dutch governments involvement and offshore wind policies that came into effect in 2013.

Once the Dutch government came together with employer’s associations, trade unions, environmental protection organisations and energy companies, an Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth came into effect. The agreement included a commitment to develop three offshore wind zones in the Dutch Economic Zone of the North Sea (Borsele, Hollandse Kust Zuid and Hollandse Kust Noord). The ambitions prove the importance of strong public-private collaboration between companies, knowledge institutes, society and governments. By working innovatively together and thinking outside the box ways as well as regulating conditions for offshore wind development, we can reduce project risks, financing and societal costs.

The Dutch offshore wind expansion is of huge significance for the national target to achieve 70% of all electricity produced in the Netherlands from renewable sources by 2030. The goal is to reach 100% by 2050. An additional 7 GW of offshore wind capacity should be installed between 2023 and 2030. Once completed, the total installed capacity of offshore wind energy in the Netherlands will reach 11.5 GW.

The Netherlands knows sustainable development can only be achieved through joint efforts and working together. The Dutch carry innovation in our core, which along with first-class technical expertise means only the highest standards will be accepted. We thrive in a high-tech environment, where our global players create flexible, fast-moving networks of specialist companies and research institutes. 

With an organised national consortia for clean energy expertise, the Netherlands is keen to exchange knowledge and skills in the areas of market formulation, electrolysis research and development, storage, installation and construction of terminals, heavy transport applications and setting up international supply chains. The Netherlands has a particular focus on renewable energy innovation and offers fast and easy access to the right technology providers, researchers and other specialists.

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