An offshore crane vessel named Sleipnir, featuring two large cranes and a yellow installation platform in the ocean.
The installation of the HKW-B topside 53 km of the Dutch coast is a perfect example of the cooperation, excellence and complexity of the OFW supply chain.
A coalition of 21 organizations from the offshore wind sector is calling on Minister Hermans of Climate and Green Growth to safeguard the deployment of the 21GW offshore wind roadmap. By accelerating the electrification of Dutch industry and implementing a two-sided Contract for Difference*, the development of offshore wind can continue. This approach will ensure continued investment in our energy independence, climate goals, and a stronger economy for the Netherlands and Europe.
The recent postponement of the tenders for IJmuiden Ver Gamma highlights the challenging phase that the offshore wind industry is currently facing. Rising costs for constructing offshore wind farms and the slow pace of industrial electrification have resulted in significant, often unacceptable risks for the development of new offshore projects. However, in order to guarantee the availability of adequate renewable energy in the future, the development of offshore wind cannot come to a halt. The Minister has announced an Action Plan for Offshore Wind in response. With this call to action, the sector aims to emphasize the urgency of such a plan.
The broad coalition – consisting of developers, suppliers, ports, and industry associations – is now urging the minister to provide clarity as soon as possible about the remaining tender schedule of the 21GW roadmap. They suggest the following measures to ensure the realization of future tenders:
The introduction of Contracts for Difference (CfDs) for offshore wind energy to ensure a stable deployment of offshore wind for developers and their supply chains;
Concrete preparation of a fallback option (SDE++) for 2026, as long as CfDs remain unavailable;
Stronger incentives for decarbonization through the electrification of industry and compensation for grid tariffs.
Collaboration
The Netherlands has taken a global leadership role in offshore project development and services. This position is largely supported by the high-quality and innovative development of offshore wind within the country. A stagnation in offshore wind deployment would have far-reaching consequences for Dutch and European energy security, the energy transition, and the business and investment climate. The coalition seeks to prevent this and is committed, together with the government, to ensuring a strong and energy-independent Netherlands.
*A CfD is a financial mechanism where a price is agreed upon between the government and the wind farm developer for the electricity generated. If electricity prices fall below this agreed price, the developer is compensated. If prices exceed the agreed price, the developer channels the excess revenue back to the government.
