DEVELOPMENTS IN OFFSHORE WIND FARMS
The plans of the European Commission aim to result in a quintupling of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030. By 2050, there should be 25 times as many wind turbines in European waters as there are now. This is outlined in the EU strategy for renewable energy at sea. Offshore wind energy, a sector larger than ever, is a crucial component of the European Green Deal, the master plan to make European economies climate-neutral by 2050. To accelerate these objectives, additional supporting measures were announced in the Fit for 55 Program in 2021 and the REPowerEU program of 2022.
Due to the increased need for sustainable energy in the energy transition, the targets for offshore wind in the Netherlands have been modified. The goal of 11.5 GW of offshore wind by 2030 has been further increased by 10.7 GW to 21 GW, as stipulated in the roadmap 2030+. This is equivalent to approximately 700 additional wind turbines in the North Sea. With the North Sea at its doorstep, the Netherlands has enormous potential to further transition to green energy. The additional ambition for 2030 is thus an interim goal. For a climate-neutral society, we will grow to more than 72 GW of offshore wind by 2050. The government is preparing a roadmap for 2040 and a long-term vision for 2030-2050.
Not only are the wind farms expanding, but the output of the new turbines is also increasing. The 36 turbines in our first offshore wind farm, Windpark Egmond aan Zee, are 3 MW each. Together, they provide sustainable electricity for over 100,000 households. In the Hollandse Kust Zuid and Noord wind farms, an 11 MW turbine will be installed. Almost a quadrupling, and that in just over ten years. Generating energy is becoming increasingly efficient.
In the newsletters of RVO you can read all about the most recent developments.
