The Dutch government has delayed tendering for two offshore wind sites due to poor market conditions.
In October this year, companies can compete for the permit for the construction and operation of a new wind farm in the North Sea.
Sites IJmuiden Ver (IJV) Gamma-A and Gamma-B, both with a 1GW capacity, were planned for this tender round but will now be tendered later.
The government said: “Due to deteriorating market conditions for offshore wind energy projects, partly due to lack of large-scale demand for electricity, IJV Gamma-A and -B will be tendered later.”
Just one site, Nederwiek I-A, has been designated for the next offshore wind tender, with a capacity of 1GW.
For the Nederwiek I-A wind farm, the tender criteria have been adjusted to improve the business case for offshore wind.
The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth said it is taking these measures to make the upcoming tender round more attractive and to allow the construction of offshore wind farms to proceed at a realistic pace.
In September 2024, it was announced that the Nederwiek I-A site size would be reduced from 2GW to 1GW.
This would reduce the investment required per site and the financial risks for wind farm developers.
The maximum liability for a wind farm developer is also limited in the first two years of the permit.
In addition, the government has simplified the ranking criteria used to assess the wind farm developer’s bid.
These criteria encourage parties to innovate in areas such as ecology or circularity.
By simplifying, costs to wind farm developers for applying these innovations can be reduced, the government said.
A government spokesperson said: “Offshore wind energy is indispensable in our current and future energy system.
“It is a relatively affordable and highly scalable source of clean energy.
“The government has therefore designated Site Nederwiek I-A for the next offshore wind farm.
“This wind farm will have a capacity of 1GW, which accounts for about 3.5% of Dutch electricity consumption.”