The Dutch government has increased financial support for two offshore wind projects in the North Sea to help secure market interest in 2 GW of new wind energy capacity.
For IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A, the maximum subsidy level has been raised from €104/MWh to €117/MWh. For IJmuiden Ver Gamma-B, the ceiling has increased from €103/MWh to €116/MWh.
The government has reserved about €6.2 billion for the two projects. Final subsidy costs may be lower if winning bids are submitted below the maximum tender prices. Actual spending will also depend on electricity prices during the subsidy period.
The updated ceilings were set after consultation with the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL). The assessment did not include the potential impact of an electricity feed-in tariff being considered by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).
To reduce financial uncertainty for developers, the government added more budgetary flexibility to the tender framework. Market consultations indicate strong interest in both tenders, with competition expected to keep final subsidy levels below the maximum caps.
IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A and Gamma-B are intended to support the Netherlands’ domestic energy supply and wider energy transition. The government is also preparing a new offshore wind support system based on Contracts for Difference (CfDs), with legislation expected to be submitted to the House of Representatives before the summer.
The subsidy tenders for both sites will open on 26 November and close on 10 December at 17:00. Permits are expected to be granted in the first quarter of 2027.
If the schedule is maintained, the projects are expected to become operational around 2032. The tenders will be carried out by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
