The Netherlands’ incoming minority government has pledged to introduce Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to support the buildout of 40GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, as part of a wider push to invest in clean, domestic energy.
In its coalition agreement, led by liberal D66 leader Rob Jetten, the government said it would back offshore wind through CfDs while improving coordination between electricity supply and industrial demand and strengthening interconnection with neighbouring countries.
“For clean, domestic energy, we continue to invest in offshore wind through Contracts for Difference for 40 GW,” the coalition said.
The agreement also proposes a new Grid Congestion Act aimed at accelerating permitting and allowing intervention where construction or installation stalls.
Dutch lawmakers are expected to debate the coalition agreement this week.
Offshore wind development in the Netherlands has recently been slowed by the absence of state subsidies, highlighted by last year’s failed 1GW Nederwiek 1-A tender, which attracted no bids. A new tender for the 1GW IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A project, including state support, is scheduled for September.
