Dutch King Willem-Alexander presided over the official inauguration of the 1500MW Hollandse Kust Zuid 1-4 wind farm, a significant milestone in the realm of renewable energy. The ceremony brought together board members of Vattenfall, BASF, and Allianz, the owners of the project, to mark this momentous occasion.
Located in the North Sea, approximately 18 to 36 kilometers off the coast between Scheveningen and Zandvoort, the wind farm comprises 139 turbines poised to generate sufficient energy to power a staggering 1.5 million households. Hollandse Kust Zuid is a collaborative effort between Vattenfall, BASF, and Allianz and is on track to achieve full operational status in 2024, with servicing operations centered at the port of IJmuiden.
Helene Biström, Head of Wind at Vattenfall, emphasized the significance of offshore wind in Vattenfall's commitment to the energy transition. She stated, “Vattenfall aims to be a leader in the energy transition, and offshore wind is essential for energy security and to achieve net zero.” Biström commended the collaborative efforts with industry partners and highlighted the project's role in reducing carbon footprints and meeting the demand for fossil-free electricity in the region.
Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, underscored the importance of Hollandse Kust Zuid in BASF's journey toward achieving net-zero emissions. He explained, “Nearly half of the electricity from Hollandse Kust Zuid will be used to reduce the carbon footprint of our products at BASF sites in Europe.” BASF is steadfast in its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050, with renewable electricity playing a pivotal role in this endeavor.
Oliver Bäte, Chief Executive of Allianz, emphasized the role of partnerships in driving climate solutions. “I am delighted that today we are opening our first direct investment in an offshore wind farm, together with BASF and Vattenfall,” Bäte stated. Allianz, which already owns over 100 wind and solar farms, is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 in its investment and underwriting portfolios and is targeting this milestone by 2030 within its own operations.
The inauguration of the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm marks a significant step toward sustainable energy and reinforces the collaborative efforts of industry leaders in addressing climate change and advancing renewable energy solutions.
