The Netherlands is making a significant effort to develop its offshore wind energy industry, with plans to double its capacity to around 21 GW by 2030.
To support this, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland; RVO) has issued a prior information notice for the development of an integrated ground model (IGM) and a geotechnical interpretative report for two new offshore wind farm zones. The notice states that the deliverables of this assignment will be made available to the participants in the concession tender for the wind farm zones.
The contract is divided into two lots, with one referring to the Nederwiek Noord wind farm zone and the other to the Hollandse Kust West VIII zone. The contract value for Lot 1 is EUR 3 million and Lot 2 is EUR 1.4 million.
According to the notice, the integrated ground models and geotechnical interpretative reports should be of sufficient accuracy to allow for preliminary foundation design. This indicates that the work will support the development of the wind farm zones by providing key information about the seabed conditions and other factors that could affect the construction of the wind farms.
Expanding offshore wind
The Nederwiek Noord and Hollandse Kust West VIII wind farm zones are part of the Dutch Government’s plans to expand its offshore wind energy industry. In March last year, the government designated three new offshore wind areas, including Nederwiek, Lagelander, and Doordewind, and confirmed two previously designated areas, the northern part of Ijmuiden Ver and the southern part of Hollandse Kust West.
In June 2022, the government disclosed the tendering timelines and locations for nine offshore wind projects with a combined capacity of up to 13.4 GW. These projects will be developed in various areas, including the Hollandse Kust (noord) and (west), as well as the IJmuiden Ver zones.
Carbon emissions
The development of offshore wind farms in the Netherlands has the potential to significantly reduce the country’s carbon emissions and increase its energy independence. However, the process of developing these wind farms can be challenging, as it requires a significant investment of time, resources, and expertise. The IGM and geotechnical interpretative report will be crucial in providing the necessary information for developers to make informed decisions about the construction and design of the wind farms.
Image source: RVO
