The Commission for Environmental Impact Assessment (NCEA) has provided positive advice on the scope of the study for the Partial Revision of the Dutch North Sea Program 2022-2027. This has been announced biy RVO. This means that research into new areas for wind energy development for the period after 2030 can begin. The designation of new wind energy areas is expected in mid-2025.
Required power
Based on the most recent energy scenarios, approximately 50 Gigawat (GW) of installed offshore wind energy capacity is needed in 2040 (and approximately 70 GW in 2050) to meet the expected electricity demand and the production of a strategic amount of hydrogen. Implementation of the supplementary Roadmap 2030 will result in 21 GW of installed capacity in 2031. To bring 50 GW within reach in 2040, it is necessary to designate wind energy areas with room for at least 23 - 26 GW of additional installed capacity.
The North Sea Program 2022-2027
The North Sea Program 2022-2027 (PNZ) was adopted by the cabinet on March 18, 2022 and includes an elaboration of the policy to be pursued for the development, use, management, protection or conservation of the North Sea. Wind energy areas have been designated in the PNZ that offer sufficient space for the realization of wind farms up to and including 2031.
The designation of wind energy areas is necessary in order to later be able to make site decisions specifying the location of wind farms. Site decisions can only be taken in designated wind energy areas. Wind energy areas are designated on the basis of the Offshore Wind Energy Act.
Partial Revision
The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management wanted to partially revise the North Sea program (Partial Revision (PH), with the aim of designating wind energy areas for the period after 2031 and determining the spatial location of surrounding shipping routes. Another aim is to create more space for to reserve sand extraction. This is important for protecting the coast against flooding.
The Partial Revision is determined by the Cabinet. The House of Representatives is informed about the progress of the Partial Review and decision-making.
Areas to investigate
The map shows which areas may be eligible as wind energy areas for the period after 2031.
In the event that insufficient space can be found in these areas for 23-26 GW, Lagelander is also being investigated. Area 6/7 is a large search area, where potential space is available for generation of 20-28 GW.
Doordewind (west) is an addition to the already designated Doordewind wind energy area. Doordewind (west) is a search area. Doordewind and Lagelander are designated wind energy areas, but space will remain after implementation of the supplementary Roadmap 2030. It has been agreed in the PNZ that for the period after 2031, a further assessment will be necessary as to whether this space can be used for wind farms.
Draft decision
The intention is for the Cabinet to take a Draft Decision on the Partial Revision in early 2025.
Prior to this, possible environmental effects and spatial consequences of the proposed revision will be investigated and described in an environmental impact report (PlanMER). That is mandatory.
The manner in which the PlanMER is created is described in a Scope and Level of Detail Memorandum (NRD). The NRD also describes which topics will be discussed in the Partial Revision. The NRD specifically addresses the scope of the environmental reporting and the level of detail of the research for the topics of wind energy areas and surrounding shipping routes and clearways, and sand extraction.
Sources:
Newsletter RVO, Draft Memorandum Scope and Level of Detail, Partial Revision of the North Sea Program 2022 - 2027, Search area map for wind energy and shipping, Search area map for expanding spatial reservation for sand provision. Can be found here on the website of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
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