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The Dutch government has awarded the contract for the construction of the largest offshore wind farm in the North Sea, IJmuiden Ver, to pension fund ABP and energy company Vattenfall. The wind farm, located over 62 kilometres off the coast, will be divided into two parts, each built by a separate consortium.
The first part, IJmuiden Ver Alpha, will be constructed by ABP in collaboration with Scottish energy company SSE Renewables under the name Noordzeker. This project will prioritise the protection and restoration of nature in the North Sea, with a focus on bird conservation in the design of the wind turbines.
The second part, IJmuiden Ver Beta, will be built by Vattenfall in partnership with the Danish company CIP under the name Zeevonk II. This project emphasises better integration into the energy system, with plans to build a hydrogen factory in Rotterdam powered by the wind farm's electricity. This will enable the production of sustainable hydrogen during times of excess electricity generation.
The successful tender is a positive development for the Dutch government, as it demonstrates strong interest in the construction of offshore wind farms despite challenging market conditions. For the first time, companies were allowed to offer annual payments to the government to secure the contract. ABP and SSE Renewables will pay over one million euros annually for forty years, while Vattenfall and CIP will contribute 20 million euros annually for the same period.
Pension fund ABP, along with other pension funds, has expressed its commitment to investing in the Netherlands' energy transition. ABP's decision to participate directly in the construction of IJmuiden Ver reflects its focus on environmental protection in the North Sea. The company has partnered with SSE Renewables, a leading developer of British wind farms, to leverage their expertise in offshore wind energy projects.
The IJmuiden Ver wind farm, with a capacity of 4 gigawatts, is expected to generate enough electricity to power 5.5 million households by 2029.
