The next permit round for new offshore wind farms in the Netherlands will take place in September 2025, as outlined in the draft Ministerial Orders published on 21 November 2024. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) will coordinate the permit tender procedure.
In September 2025, developers can apply for permits to construct and operate wind farms at Sites IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A, IJmuiden Ver Gamma-B, and Nederwiek I-A. The permit procedure for Site Nederwiek I-B is postponed due to the proximity of a gas transit platform. Research is underway to ensure helicopters can safely reach this platform with a wind farm nearby.
Wind farm developers participating in the tender can earn points based on the extent to which they meet various criteria. The more points accumulated, the greater the chance of winning the permit.
For Site Nederwiek I-A, the focus is on reducing the negative impact of wind farms on North Sea nature and on proposals that can strengthen natural habitats. The regulations for Sites IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A and Gamma-B also include criteria for strengthening nature.
For Sites IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A and Gamma-B, there is an additional emphasis on integrating electricity into the onshore energy system. The electricity grid in the Netherlands is congested, and offshore wind farms generate significant amounts of electricity.
Each site can accommodate approximately 1GW of offshore wind energy, making them smaller than those in the previous permit round. Previously, RVO issued permits for Sites IJmuiden Ver Alpha and IJmuiden Ver Beta, each with a capacity of about 2 GW. The ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth divided the sites at the request of wind farm developers to reduce (financial) risks.
