Otary, Ocean Winds and Eneco’s 487MW SeaMade offshore wind farm has been officially inaugurated in the presence of Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo in Ostend.
It is the second offshore wind farm built by Otary, together with Ocean Winds and Eneco.
The project is managed by Otary, and together with the Rentel wind farm, it provides almost 800MW of offshore capacity in the North Sea.
SeaMade, which consists of 58 turbines, has been operational since the end of 2020.
De Croo said: “Renewable energy is the future. It helps to reduce our emissions and is also the cheapest form of energy today. Belgium is the world’s number two per capita in the production of offshore wind energy.
“We are strengthening our position with the new wind farm, and in the coming years the federal government will continue to focus on expanding our wind energy capacity. It is our ambition to provide all families in our country with green electricity.”
SeaMade Otary chief executive Mathias Verkest said: “Belgium continues to be a pioneer in offshore wind energy.
“Offshore wind is not only good for sustainability and security of supply, but also has a positive effect on the Belgian trade balance.
“Thanks to this local energy source, not only do we avoid importing fuels, but we can also export our know-how to continents such as Asia and America, where offshore wind is in full development.
“I am pleased to be involved in the first (C-Power) and last project (SeaMade), but above all I hope that the continued innovations and efforts of the entire industry will allow us to further exploit the North Sea potential and provide for our energy supply.
“SeaMade is a unique partnership between Otary, Ocean Winds and Eneco with the significant involvement of Belgian companies (DEME – Engie – Equans – Smulders) in the construction of the farm.”
SeaMade deputy CEO and Ocean Winds country manager Wouter Vandekerkhove said: “SeaMade, the largest offshore wind farm in Belgium, has been created thanks to the collaboration and expertise of various partners and we are pleased that as part of the project team we have contributed to the development, realisation and now the operation of this important wind farm in our North Sea.”
Eneco Wind chief executive Miguel de Schaetzen said: “With the One Planet Plan, Eneco has set itself big and concrete goals.
“In 2035, we want to be completely climate neutral with our entire business operations, all our assets and together with our customers.
“Obviously, the development of offshore wind farms plays a crucial role in this.”