Country Profile: Accelerating offshore wind and nature protection in the Netherlands

Reaching our decarbonisation targets requires deployment of wind energy in European seas. If we look at the Netherlands, what is the current state of offshore wind development and how do their plans include nature? The Netherlands currently has 4.7 GW of offshore wind energy installed (approx. 670 turbines).

Their ambitions: 21 GW by 2030 and 70 GW by 2050. Due to the shallow depth of the North Sea, turbines are bottom-fixed, a commercially used technology with better known impacts. These plans must protect marine nature to conserve the ecosystem services we depend upon. Strong policy and regulations for both offshore wind expansion and nature are necessary to support this goal. More information on the webinar webpage.