Action plan supports construction of offshore wind farms
Due to rising costs and less demand for electricity than expected, development of offshore wind energy is coming to a standstill in many countries. To prevent this from happening in the Netherlands, the Government is launching an action plan. This includes measures to financially support the construction of new wind farms. The plan also provides solutions to further stimulate demand for offshore wind energy.
Growth comes to a standstill
In recent years, electricity production by offshore wind farms in the Netherlands has increased significantly. We would like to expand this even further. One reason is that offshore wind energy makes us less dependent on other countries. Due to rising costs and more uncertainty in the market, development of offshore wind is coming to a standstill in many countries. This is not yet the case in the Netherlands: several offshore wind farms are currently being built, and new farms are under development.
Offshore Wind Energy Action Plan
To prevent development of these wind farms coming to a standstill in the Netherlands, Minister Sophie Hermans of Climate and Green Growth presented the Offshore Wind Energy Action Plan on 16 September 2025. It outlines various measures to ensure continued development of offshore wind in the Netherlands.
€1 billion for new wind farms by 2026
The action plan contains measures to support the construction of new wind farms. For example, wind farm developers will receive financial support for the construction of 2 gigawatts (GW) of new wind farms. Almost € 1 billion will be released from the Climate Fund for this purpose. The wind farm areas involved will be announced later.
Stimulating demand for wind energy
The plan also proposes solutions to stimulate demand for offshore wind energy. For example, the Indirect Cost Compensation (IKC-ETS) scheme for industry will be extended by one year, until 2028. This is to make electricity costs competitive and thus improve the revenue model of offshore wind farms for developers.
Subsidy for wind farm owners with low incomes
For the longer term, the Government is preparing a bill to make so-called 'Contracts for Difference' possible. This means that wind farm owners receive a subsidy if revenues are low and pay the State if electricity prices are high. The further elaboration and deployment of this is up to the next Government.
The action plan also describes the development of a guarantee fund to support the conclusion of long-term electricity contracts. The Government is also investigating whether the planned Ten Noorden van de Waddeneilanden Wind Farm Site can be incorporated into the Doordewind Wind Farm Zone. This is to generate higher yields per turbine and to make better use of the infrastructure.
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