Dutch offshore wind tenders face delay after senate vote

Tenders for 700 MW of offshore wind will be delayed after the Dutch senate gave the thumbs-down to the new Electricity and Gas Act, which includes, among other matters, the plan for the offshore grid network.

Transmission system operator (TSO) Tennet said today that the first grid connection off Borssele will be delayed. The tender for two 350-MW offshore wind parks in the area, the Borssele I and II, was planned to take place in the middle of January. It has already been postponed once and now faces additional uncertainty.

Tennet said it is working with the economic affairs ministry in the Netherlands to devise a new customised schedule for the offshore grid. It, meanwhile, continues with preparations, such as the permit applications. Tennet hopes that the ministry will, as soon as possible, present a new proposal with the crucial legislation elements for the appointment of offshore grid manager and related matters.

The Netherlands has a plan to expand the country’s offshore wind power capacity by 3.5 GW through several tenders over the next five years. Borssele I and II are the first to take place.

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