Under the Dutch #NSEC presidency, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) has awarded a contract to our member company, Royal HaskoningDHV, to conduct an inventory of the offshore wind port infrastructure needs.
This issue was highlighted by the Dutch Wind Energy Association (NWEA), Dutch seaports, and IRO – The Association of Dutch Suppliers in the Offshore Energy Industry in a joint letter to the Ministers of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) at the end of last year. During a panel debate on offshore wind in the North Sea, my colleague and vice-chairman Bert van der Lingen also emphasized the need for attention to be given to this issue: “no business case, no investment.”
The Netherlands has set ambitious targets for the development of offshore wind capacity in the North Sea, with plans to increase the capacity from the current 1.5 GW to 11.5 GW by 2030. This growth requires significant investment in offshore wind port infrastructure to ensure efficient transport of turbines, blades, and other components to and from the wind farms.
The inventory by Royal HaskoningDHV will provide insights into the current infrastructure and identify gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate the growth of the offshore wind industry. This will include a review of port infrastructure and facilities, including quays, berths, and jetties, as well as transport links to and from the ports, such as road and rail connections.
The Dutch government’s decision to commission this inventory highlights the importance of the offshore wind industry to the country’s economy and its commitment to achieving its renewable energy targets. The insights gained from this inventory will be crucial in identifying the necessary investments required to support the growth of the industry in the coming years.
