New offshore wind farms

Why is wind energy important?

We would like to be energy independent. And as the Netherlands becomes more sustainable, our electricity consumption will increase. The intention is to use increasingly more and more electricity instead of fossil fuels. 

Offshore wind energy provides 'clean’ electricity that reduces CO₂ emissions. It is also a reliable source of energy because of strong and constant winds in the Dutch North Sea. That is why we will need a lot of it in the future, because we want to be climate neutral by 2050.

Goals

We have more than achieved our first goal of 4.5 GW in 2023. In total, we had 4.7 GW of offshore wind energy by the end of that year.

Under the current Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap, our goal is to reach 21 GW installed capacity. When we reach the 21 GW goal, Dutch offshore wind farms will supply 16% of the energy we need in the Netherlands. Permits for 5.5 GW of capacity have already been awarded to developers and new wind farms are under construction.

By 2040, we will need between 30-40 GW of offshore wind energy capacity. This will enable us to generate enough energy to meet the Netherlands’ energy consumption needs. This is stated in the North Sea Wind Energy Infrastructure Plan of July 2025.

That is less than the previously expected estimate of 50GW. This is because the transition from fossil fuels to electricity use by, amongst others, industry, is lagging behind. The costs of constructing offshore wind farms have also risen. 

You can read more about the North Sea Wind Energy Infrastructure Plan on the page Offshore Energy Infrastructure.

Offshore wind energy action plan

Due to rising costs and less demand for electricity than expected, development of offshore wind energy is stalling. We did not receive any applications for the permit for Nederwiek Site I-A. 

The Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth had anticipated that there might not be any applications. That is why the Minister presented the Offshore Wind Energy Action Plan on 16 September. This contains measures to financially support the construction of new wind farms. The plan also provides solutions to further stimulate demand for offshore wind energy.

You can read more about the action plan in the news item: Action plan supports construction of offshore wind farms.

Two-way contracts for offshore wind energy

From 2027, the Netherlands will transition from subsidies to two-way contracts to support the construction of offshore wind farms. These contracts are also known as Contracts for Difference (CfDs). Under a CfD, developers enter into an agreement with the government, setting a fixed price for the energy generated. If the market price is lower than the agreed rate, developers receive financial support; if the price is higher, they pay the difference back to the government.

As more of these contracts are introduced, their influence on the electricity market will grow. To better understand their impact, we commissioned TNO to conduct a study on how CfDs will affect the future of the Dutch electricity market. The report is attached below, in Dutch. The findings include recommendations for CfD design, with preliminary choices outlined in the Letter to Parliament of 20 March for offshore wind, onshore wind, and solar energy (attached below). The first offshore wind CfDs are planned to launch towards the end of 2027.

For more information on why the Netherlands is switching to CfDs, visit the page on two-way contracts for solar and wind energy (in Dutch).

New wind farm zones

To support the growth of offshore wind energy after completion of the current Roadmap, the Government is already designating new wind farm zones. These zones are included in the Partial Revision of the North Sea Programme 2022-2027 (attached below). Within these zones, the Government can later designate new wind farm sites. 

The revision carefully considers the impact on the environment, as well as the interests of offshore wind and other North Sea stakeholders. The Government aims to balance these priorities effectively.

Which areas are involved?

The following areas have been identified for potential future wind farms:

• Search area 6/7: this area is reserved for wind farms, ensuring space will remain available for other activities (such as fishing and shipping).
• Doordewind: this area will expand westward to accommodate an additional 2 GW of wind energy.

No offshore wind farms will be developed in the Lagelander area.

Research in new areas still ongoing

Ecological research is currently underway in Search area 6/7 and Doordewind. Therefore, it is not yet certain whether there will be enough space for 40 GW of offshore wind energy. By designating these new areas now, we avoid a delay of at least 2 years.

We are also exploring additional areas for offshore wind energy in preparation for the next North Sea Programme (2028–2033). More updates on this will be published later this year in the National Energy System Plan (NPE) and the Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap.

Plans for offshore energy infrastructure and landfall

There are also plans for offshore energy infrastructure and the landing of wind energy (from sea to land). More information about this can be found on the pages below.

• Offshore Energy Infrastructure
• Landfall of offshore wind energy: from sea to land

Want to know more?

In the documents below you can read more about the Government's vision for offshore wind energy.

• North Sea Energy Outlook
• North Sea Programme 2022-2027
• Future scenarios