Offshore wind energy
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The Dutch national government is aiming for 14% of all energy used in the Netherlands to come from renewable sources in 2020, and a minimum of 27% in 2030. The Netherlands also wants to achieve zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the energy supply by 2050. Offshore wind is an important form of renewable energy for meeting these goals.
Why offshore wind energy?
Offshore wind energy plays a key role in the energy transition. The North Sea is a good place to install wind turbines due to:
its relatively shallow waters;
its favourable wind climate;
the proximity of good ports and (industrial) energy consumers.
The costs of offshore wind energy have fallen significantly in recent years, making it the cheapest large-scale source of renewable energy.
The potential economic opportunities arising from offshore wind farms are considerable. A large domestic market gives the Dutch offshore and wind sector the opportunity to develop expertise and hence continue to build on its strong international position. Dutch companies already hold a market share of approximately 25 percent of the total European offshore wind energy market.
