Benelux offshore wind momentum

Offshore wind is a pillar of the Benelux energy transition. The Netherlands is Europe’s third-largest offshore wind market behind the UK and Germany, and Belgium is rapidly expanding its North Sea zones. The Dutch roadmap targets 21 GW by 2032, which represents around 75% of today’s electricity demand, and 72 GW by 2050. This build-out is supported by a supply chain expected to generate roughly 62,000 person-years of construction work up to 2030. Furthermore, it will create more than 1,200 full-time O&M jobs by 2030, with further growth towards 2050. Cumulative investments in generation, grid and port infrastructure will run into several tens of billions of euros across the North Sea basin.

Dutch wind energy capacity, 1990-2024

Successive roadmaps structure the build-out:

• Roadmap 2023 enabled: Borssele and Hollandse Kust Zuid/Noord, pioneering zero-subsidy tenders that drove rapid cost reductions and became a global reference point.
• Current 21 GW roadmap: Expands to Hollandse Kust West, IJmuiden Ver, Nederwiek, Doordewind and “Ten noorden van de Waddeneilanden”, balancing large volumes with non‑price criteria on ecology, system integration and responsible business conduct. This positions the Netherlands alongside the UK, Germany and Denmark as one of Europe’s leading offshore wind regions in terms of future capacity and industrial capability.

Offshore Wind Energy Roadmap (RVO, October 2025)

Additionally, major grid and infrastructure developments support system integration:

• TenneT’s multi‑GW offshore grid, including a new generation of 2 GW High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) connections to efficiently bring power onshore and link to neighboring markets.
• Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Island as a 2.1 GW hybrid hub, combining offshore wind connections with cross‑border interconnectors.
• Major ports (Rotterdam, Eemshaven, Vlissingen, IJmuiden, Zeebrugge, Ostend) upgraded its heavy‑lift structures, storage and operations and maintenance (O&M), creating one of Europe’s densest clusters of offshore wind port capacity.

TenneT’s Offshore HVDC Converter Platform

Industry integration enhances system stability: green hydrogen projects and the electrification of chemicals, steel and data centers around port clusters are designed to absorb offshore power, stabilize investment conditions and secure long‑term offtake. Benelux is thus a live testbed for scalable system-level solutions, ready for global export.

Sif’s green hydrogen centralized offshore wind production project, “AmpHytrite”

However, momentum faces headwinds. Rising costs, grid congestion and policy uncertainty are putting pressure on pipelines, and the supply chain is signaling bottlenecks in vessel availability, manufacturing lead times and skilled labor. To address this, the Dutch Offshore Wind Action Plan and upcoming Contracts for Difference (CfDs) from 2027 aim to maintain competitiveness, ensure sufficient demand, bankability and predictable project flows.

Dutch Offshore Wind Innovation Guide 2026

During OEEC 2025, Aukje de Vries, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, visited the NL Pavilion, where the first copies of the Dutch Offshore Wind Innovation Guide 2026 were handed over to Bert van der Lingen from NedZero – Wind Energy Association and Jeroen de Graaf from Maritime & Offshore NL.

For further context, see RVO’s article Strong public-private partnership at the OEEC 2025 wind energy fair.

Aukje de Vries’ visit to the NL Pavilion at OEEC 2025

The Guide provides a structured overview of the country’s policy framework, project pipeline, and innovation landscape in the offshore wind industry.

Follow this link to access the full Dutch Offshore Wind Innovation Guide 2026.

A central message is how Dutch policy has evolved from a fragmented, developer‑led approach to a coordinated “one‑stop shop” model:

That way, developers can bid on pre‑surveyed zones with predictable grid connections and clear environmental conditions. This setup has reduced early‑stage risk, accelerated learning curves, and enabled rapid cost declines.

Beyond policy, the Guide presents Dutch offshore wind as a vibrant platform for innovation and a key driver of export opportunities across a range of thematic areas, which we explore in more detail below.

Export successes

Some of the Guide’s news highlights showcase examples of Dutch consultancy expertise being deployed to shape new regional markets:

• ELWIND (Estonia-Latvia): Royal HaskoningDHV leads grid connection and cable corridor studies for this 700-1,000 MW cross-border project. Working with Latvian partner Enviroprojekts, they are assessing transmission capacity, substation sites and restrictions like Natura 2000 areas, shaping the Baltic region’s first major offshore wind zone.​
• Baltic Power (Poland): Van Oord’s vessel Svanen is installing monopiles and transition pieces for ORLEN Neptun and Northland Power’s 1.2 GW farm. This pioneer project includes Poland’s first dedicated O&M base in Łeba, supporting 30 years of operations.

ORLEN Neptun and Northland Power’s Baltic Power wind farm

Innovation across the value chain

Dutch and Benelux organizations dominate the full offshore wind lifecycle, from surveys to O&M. 

Spotlight examples:

• Fugro leads geotech and geophys surveys in Taiwan, Scotland and the North Sea.
• Sif’s Rotterdam factory produces giant monopiles for Ecowende, Baltic Power and US farms.
• Van Oord’s Slip Joint technology eliminates the need for grout or bolts, enabling faster installation, reduced costs and more marine-friendly foundations.​​

Furthermore, leading organizations such as Boskalis, Van Oord and Heerema handle foundations, cables and substations at mega-projects while ports like Rotterdam, Eemshaven, and IJmuiden receive heavy-lift upgrades, ensuring efficient logistics and cost-effective operations.

Van Oord’s vessel Svanen, aimed at handling heavy-lift upgrades.

Floating wind, ecology, and system integration

The Guide additionally highlights Dutch leadership in floating wind turbine and foundation technologies:

• Floating frontrunners such as IX Renewables, TouchWind and FibreMax drive turbine and foundation pilots in Taiwan, Japan and Brazil, blending Dutch engineering with local partners.​
• Tenders prioritise nature-positive designs: Ecowende (Hollandse Kust West VI) and Noordzeker (IJmuiden Ver Alpha) test reefs, oyster hubs and low-noise piling to protect birds and marine life.​​
• System hybrids pioneer the future: CrossWind (Hollandse Kust Noord) and OranjeWind integrate floating solar, batteries and electrolysers (Maasvlakte, Eemshaven) for reliable green power.

As these innovations continue to shape the offshore wind landscape, platforms like TRANSFER’s matchmaking program at OEEC 2025 play a vital role in accelerating these advancements by connecting Dutch leadership with global partners.

Oyster‑reef restoration pilot at Luchterduinen offshore wind farm.

TRANSFER’s matchmaking at OEEC 2025

In this context, TRANSFER’s matchmaking program at OEEC 2025 represents a crucial step in fostering international partnerships. By connecting leading Dutch offshore wind players with global stakeholders, the program strengthens the ties between cutting-edge technologies and international expertise. Over two days, it facilitated 60 high-value B2B meetings, bringing together top-tier organizations and generating significant potential for future cooperation.

The international delegation included actors such as ORLEN Neptun (Poland), ANCAP (Uruguay), Saitec Offshore Technologies (Spain), the Turkish Wind Energy Association, Renewables Finland, Flowra (Japan), and other stakeholders from Europe, Latin America, and Asia. 

On the Dutch side, key organizations involved in the matchmaking (Boskalis, Van Oord, Fugro, Sif, Ecowende, AYOP, DMEC, Rabobank, Royal HaskoningDHV, and others) also feature in the Dutch Offshore Wind Innovation Guide’s business directory and case studies, demonstrating a tangible strategic alignment. 

TRANSFER’s B2B meetings at OEEC 2025

Notably, in addition to ELWIND and ORLEN Neptun, the Guide references Dutch contributions to projects in markets relevant for participants like Saitec (floating wind), Renewables Finland (Nordic and Baltic developments) and Turkish partners looking at future Black Sea opportunities. This underlines how the OEEC meetings were embedded in longer international project pipelines.

As shown below, participants praised the program’s success:

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for all the hard work you have put in, which has made these valuable meetings possible. It was a great pleasure to participate in such a wonderful event, and without your support it would not have been possible.”

Joanna Sasak, Chief Financial Officer and Board Member at ORLEN Neptun

“I greatly appreciate the support the TRANSFER team provided before and during the OEEC 2025 conference. It was a pleasure taking part in the B2B matchmaking meetings, and I found the connections and discussions to be valuable for our organization.”

Immanuel Capano, Chief Commercial Officer at Saitec Offshore Technologies

“Thank you so much for organizing and supporting the successful meetings we had during OEEC. I’m looking forward to the next time!”

Nathalie Mallarino, Commercial Manager at Fugro

➡️ Check out our LinkedIn post for an overview of the event.

Opportunities for foreign and Dutch companies in Benelux

The Benelux offshore wind innovation landscape offers multiple entry points for international companies, while Dutch and Belgian partners benefit from collaborations that secure markets, accelerate learning, and strengthen their global position.

This kind of two-way cooperation ensures mutual benefit: international stakeholders gain structured access to the Dutch and Belgian ecosystem, while Benelux organizations secure global reference projects, new financing, and strong partners that help them stay at the forefront of offshore wind innovation. 

In parallel, expected offshore wind investment in the Benelux through 2030 will amount to many tens of billions of euros across generation, grid and port infrastructure. This momentum supports a growing export market for Dutch and Belgian service companies, while also exposing bottlenecks in manufacturing capacity, vessel availability and workforce that will need careful management.

OranjeWind wind farm in the Dutch North Sea

By exploring the Dutch Offshore Wind Innovation Guide 2026, engaging with RVO and Benelux cluster organizations, and participating in upcoming trade missions and industry gatherings such as OEEC, stakeholders can gain a deeper understanding of the region’s strengths and possibilities. In doing so, they unlock access to the Benelux as a global testbed for system innovation in offshore wind, an environment where collaboration drives the next generation of projects, both locally and internationally.

References

CLO. (n.d.). Wind energy capacity 1990-2024. Retrieved from https://www.clo.nl/en/indicators/en038631-wind-energy-capacity-1990-2024

Dutch Offshore Wind. (2026). Dutch Offshore Wind Innovation Guide 2026. Retrieved from https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/attachments/95552496/322c21b1-979a-4c73-a9b5-7ed03af609bb/Dutch-Offshore-Wind-Innovation-Guide-2026.pdf

Dutch Water Sector. (n.d.). Grid connection of Oranjewind wind farm in Dutch North Sea announced. Retrieved from https://www.dutchwatersector.com/news/grid-connection-of-oranjewind-wind-farm-in-dutch-north-sea-announced

Navingo Media Group. (n.d.). Offshore WIND [Home page]. Retrieved from https://www.offshorewind.biz/

NedZero. (n.d.). What is HVDC and what are the benefits. Retrieved from https://nedzero.nl/en/news/what-is-hvdc-and-what-are-the-benefits

Poland At Sea. (n.d.). Orlen Group and Northland Power build onshore substation for Baltic Power wind farm. Retrieved from https://www.polandatsea.com/orlen-group-and-northland-power-build-onshore-substation-for-baltic-power-wind-farm/

Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland. (2025, November 27). Sterke publiek-private krachtbundeling op de windenergiebeurs OEEC 2025. RVO.nl. https://www.rvo.nl/nieuws/sterke-publiek-private-krachtbundeling-op-de-windenergiebeurs-oeec-2025

Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland. (n.d.). New offshore wind farms. Retrieved from https://english.rvo.nl/topics/offshore-wind-energy/new-offshore-wind-farms

Sif Group. (2022, May 17). Sif Group, representing KCI the engineers, GE Renewable Energy and Pondera sign an MoU for the feasibility study of a Green Hydrogen Centralized Offshore Wind Production Project: “AmpHytrite”. Retrieved from https://sif-group.com/newsroom/sif-group-representing-kci-the-engineers-ge-renewable-energy-and-pondera-sign-an-mou-for-the-feasibility-study-of-a-green-hydrogen-centralized-offshore-wind-production-project-amphytrite-en/

Slump, J. (2025, November 4). Maintaining momentum in offshore wind is crucial. Delft University of Technology. Retrieved from https://www.tudelft.nl/en/innovation-impact/pioneering-tech/articles/maintaining-momentum-in-offshore-wind-is-crucial

Van Oord. (n.d.). Latest innovation: Restoring oyster reefs installed at Luchterduinen wind farm. Retrieved from https://www.vanoord.com/en/updates/latest-innovation-restoring-oyster-reefs-installed-luchterduinen-wind-farm/

Van Oord. (n.d.). Van Oord completes installation Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm. Retrieved from https://www.vanoord.com/en/updates/van-oord-completes-installation-hollandse-kust-noord-offshore-wind-farm/

Van Oord. (n.d.). Van Oord’s heavy lift installation vessel Svanen has arrived at Kriegers Flak wind farm. Retrieved from https://www.vanoord.com/en/updates/van-oords-heavy-lift-installation-vessel-svanen-has-arrived-kriegers-flak-wind-farm/

Windpower Monthly. (n.d.). Dutch roadmap details 11.5GW offshore by 2030. Retrieved from https://www.windpowermonthly.com/article/1460557/dutch-roadmap-details-115gw-offshore-2030