A steel-cutting ceremony has been held in Vlissingen to mark the start of the construction of the jacket for the 2GW IJmuiden Ver Beta wind farm’s offshore platform.
The jacket for IJmuiden Ver Beta is being built by Heerema Fabrication Group. It is one of three jackets that the Dutch company will manufacture for TenneT’s 2GW programme on behalf of the Seatrium and GE Vernova consortium.
With a length of 90 metres, a width of 43 metres and a weight of over 10,000 tonnes, it is one of the largest steel structures ever built in the Netherlands for offshore wind.
The IJmuiden Ver Beta platform will be the first in a series of new 2GW connections that TenneT will realise in the Dutch and German North Sea in the coming years.
The jackets are essential for anchoring the platforms to the seabed and ensure that the topsides above – with transformers and high-voltage installations – continue to function stably even under the heaviest North Sea storms.
The IJmuiden Ver Beta wind farm, with an installed capacity of 2GW, is expected to be commissioned in two phases by operator Zeevonk, a joint venture between Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP).
The first 1GW will be commissioned in 2029, followed by another 1GW in 2032.
Jessie van der Linden, director of the 2GW programme at TenneT, said: “Today we are taking an important step towards the realisation of the first 2GW platform.
“I am proud to see that a Dutch company such as Heerema Fabrication Group will be building these jackets.
“Their craftsmanship and experience contribute to the success of this programme, which is crucial for the energy transition and our energy independence.
“It shows once again that the realisation of the energy infrastructure of the future is also firmly anchored in our own country.”
Samuel Wong, executive vice president of fixed platforms at Seatrium, said: “We are honoured to be TenneT’s trusted partner for this critical 2GW programme.
“The steel cutting ceremony for the IJmuiden Ver Beta jacket is not just a milestone – it’s a bold step in energy transition, providing the stable foundation needed for a sustainable energy future.
“We look forward to strengthening our long-term partnership to bring TenneT’s vision to life.”
Heerema Fabrications Group chief executive Richard Spronk said: ‘We are proud that we can contribute our expertise to TenneT’s 2GW programme. This contract confirms the confidence in our craftsmanship and gives us the opportunity to work together on a sustainable energy infrastructure for the future.”
By 2032, around 75% of the Netherlands’ current electricity consumption will be generated by wind farms in the Dutch North Sea.
TenneT ensures that the electricity generated by offshore wind farms is fed into the Dutch high-voltage grid. The company said the 2GW programme is the new standard for connecting offshore wind farms.
Between now and 2032, TenneT will realise 13 of these connections in the Dutch and German North Sea.
TenneT said the innovative approach to connection means that fewer cables and platforms are needed, making construction more efficient and sustainable.
Picture: The steel-cutting ceremony at Heerema Fabrication Group’s shipyard in Vlissingen