The Dutch government has identified three new areas for offshore wind development and confirmed two previously designated areas, adding 10,700MW capacity to the pipeline.
The areas, located in the North Sea, have been named Nederwiek, Lagelander, Doordewind.
The two previously designated areas are the northern part of IJmuiden Ver and the southern part of Hollandse Kust West.
These additions will bring the country’s total capacity to 21GW by 2030.
The Government is to decide later this year the exact locations of the new wind farms in the designated areas, as part of the Roadmap 2030+.
Netherlands minister for climate and energy Rob Jetten said: “By 2030, we want to get 21 GW from offshore wind energy, making offshore wind energy our largest source of electricity by 2030.
“When designating the wind energy areas, careful consideration was given to the other interests in the North Sea such as shipping, fishing, nature and defence,” he added.
The Dutch government is planning to use €1.69 billion from the country’s proposed Climate Fund to cover costs of spatial integration and electricity connections of the new areas as well as to promote shipping safety, making the fisheries sector more sustainable and adapting, strengthening and protecting the North Sea ecosystem, it said.