Applications for the subsidised offshore wind farm permit will open in September 2026
Wind farm developers will be able to apply to the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO) in September 2026 for a permit to build and operate a wind farm at IJmuiden Ver Site Gamma-A (IJV Gamma-A) . This offshore wind farm will have a capacity of één gigawatt (GW). A subsidy of € 3.978 billion is available for the project. The funding is important to ensure offshore wind energy development continues.
Windfarm developers face greater uncertainty
Due to rising costs and lower demand for electricity than previously expected, offshore wind energy development is under pressure. Wind farm developers are less sure they can recover their project in today’s challenging climate.
Subsidy cover some of the costs
In October 2025, RVO received no applications for the construction and operation of a wind farm at the Nederwiek site I-A. The subsidy should now encourage developers to apply for a permit for IJV Gamma-A.
Almost € 4 billion in subsidies available
A total of € 3.978 billion in subsidies has been allocated for this wind farm site. We expect to spend approximately € 2.5 billion, which is reserved for this purpose. Of this amount, € 0.9 billion comes from the Climate Fund (in Dutch: Klimaatfonds). The remaining € 1.6 billion is provided through the Stimulation of Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition scheme (in Dutch: Stimulering Duurzame Energieproductie en Klimaattransitie, SDE ++).
This budget sets a maximum tender bid of € 0.104 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy generated. The winning permit application will determine, through its bid, whether the full subsidy amount is required.
Powering one million households
The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) issued independent advice recommending that a single GW site should be offered in this permit round. A one GW wind farm can generate enough electricity to supply around one million households. According to PBL, there is insufficient subsidy budget available to support 2 one GW sites.
Later this year, the Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth will decide whether to launch a second permit round for another one GW site.
Wind energy plays a key role in the transition to sustainable energy
Offshore wind farms play a major role in the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy (the energy transition). They contribute to a strong and affordable energy system and ensure the Netherlands keeps control of its energy supply. Currently, offshore wind is the most effective way to deliver large-scale energy quickly.
Share your feedback on the draft Ministerial Order
Wind farm developers can submit feedback on the draft Ministerial Order, through a public consultation, until 27 February 2026. After the consultation, the final Ministerial Order will be published in the Government Gazette (Staatscourant). For more information, visit our tender page.
Questions about offshore wind energy?
If you have any questions about offshore wind energy, feel free to email us at: woz@rvo.nl.
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