The Dutch government has approved a new spatial plan for the North Sea aimed at creating more room for offshore wind energy while maintaining space for fisheries. Other uses—including mining, shipping, defence, nature, coastal protection, sand extraction, and maritime heritage—are also being taken into account.
A total investment package of €1.7 billion has been reserved to support this reallocation. Funds will be used to safeguard shipping safety, study conditions at wind energy sites, support fisheries, and strengthen marine ecosystems. Key decisions include:
- Designating new areas for offshore wind development, with a potential indicative capacity of 21 GW. This is in addition to previously designated areas of similar size, providing space to reach the 40 GW target outlined in the coalition agreement.
- Excluding wind turbines from certain zones to protect fisheries or to account for marine ecology in wind farm planning.
- Acquiring additional emergency tugboats to operate 24/7 in the North Sea and investing in extra sensors to improve monitoring of sea activities.
- Expanding the sand extraction reservation zone to provide material for coastal flood protection.
