As the tendering procedure for Borssele I and II offshore wind sites is due to be launched in December, at least ten consortia and companies have already shown interest in building offshore wind farms at the first two offered lots, the Dutch media reported.
The parties interested in bidding for Borssele I and II sites, each holding a 350MW capacity, are both Dutch and foreign, and include some of the major players in the offshore wind industry.
The application period for the first round of tenders is scheduled to run from 2 December 2015 to 31 March 2016. The subsidy and permits for sites I and II of the Borssele Wind Farm Zone will be awarded to the lowest bid that meets all criteria, RVO.nl states on its website.
According to FD, the large interest in the first two sites is due to the fact that the winner(s) of the first Borssele tender will have a higher chance to win further tenders. In addition, the Dutch subsidy system is considered to be a good basis for large investments.
The Netherlands has ten offshore wind sites in the pipeline; four at the Borssele Zone, four off South Holland coast, and two off North Holland.
Borssele I and II will have a combined output of 700MW and the entire Borssele wind farm area is planned to have a total of 1,400MW, enough to power 1.5 million households.
Offshore WIND Staff; Image: TenneT