New Coalition to Strengthen Rotterdam’s Offshore Wind Industry

CEOs of fifteen companies working in the offshore wind sector have formed a coalition under the name “Rotterdam Offshore Wind Delta”. 

Van Oord, Boskalis, Mammoth, SIF Group, Ampelmann, Falck, STC Group, Keppel Verolme, Eneco, Marsh, Rabobank, Jules Dock, Port of Rotterdam, City of Rotterdam and Rotterdam Partners, signed a manifesto on 13 June.

The Netherlands is heading towards 3.5GW of capacity, EUR 20 billion in investment and some 15,000 to 25,000 new jobs by 2020.

Rotterdam Offshore Wind Delta said it sees many opportunities for Rotterdam, mostly because of the strong position in the construction, maintenance, operation and service, thanks to the many businesses in the port of Rotterdam, which are involved in the development of offshore wind energy. In addition, the port offers enough space for assembly, construction and maintenance, a large workforce potential and facilities for training and education.

The coalition will now work on drafting a position paper to specify the collaboration, the ambition and the first concrete actions. The position paper, which will address issues such as policy and lobbying, acquisition, education and training, innovation, marketing and branding, is expected to be completed in mid-September.