Netherlands Launches 4 GW IJmuiden Ver Offshore Wind Tender

Planning & Permitting

February 29, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has launched a tender for two sites in the IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Zone in the North Sea. The tender, issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, is for the IJmuiden Ver Alpha and Beta sites, each of which can house approximately 2 GW of installed offshore wind capacity.

IJmuiden Ver NWEA — *Source: the Netherlands Wind Energy Association (NWEA)*

The proposals will be accepted until 5 p.m. on 28 March. The award criteria include the extent to which the applicant takes into account the integration of the electricity produced in the energy system. The Dutch Government will examine to what extent the applicants plan to maximise the use and re-use of raw materials.

In addition, the government will take into account the extent to which a proposal takes circularity, environmental impact, and value retention into account in the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of the offshore wind farm.

“The success of Offshore Wind Energy has exceeded all expectations. IJmuiden Ver will be the largest wind energy area in Europe. As early as 2031, wind energy will supply 75% of the electricity from your socket,” said Jan Vos, chairman of the Netherlands Wind Energy Association (NWEA).

Located 62 kilometres off the west coast of the Netherlands, the IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Zone contains three sites, with IJmuiden Ver Gamma, the third site, expected to be put out to tender in 2025.

The total area of the three sites in the 6 GW IJmuiden Ver Wind Farm Zone is approximately 650 square kilometres.

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The three sites have been created by pairing the former sites IJmuiden Ver formerly I and II (now Alpha), IJmuiden Ver III and IV (now Beta), and IJmuiden Ver V and VI (now Gamma). The wind farms that are planned to be built on those sites are expected to be completed in 2029 and 2030, respectively

Grid operator TenneT will build three grid connections in the area, with three platforms that will have a 2 GW direct current connection to a land station. These are the first offshore wind farms in the Netherlands to be connected with a direct current connection.