The Dutch government has announced a 1 GW offshore wind tender with subsidies, scheduled for September. This initiative aims to boost offshore wind development before the introduction of the Contract for Difference (CfD) scheme in mid-2027. The Dutch Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth emphasizes the importance of this temporary measure to sustain the industry’s momentum.
On January 16, Minister Sophie Hermans informed Parliament about the tender plan for the 1 GW IJmuiden Ver Gamma A site, set for September 2026. A subsidy budget of EUR 3.98 billion will be provided under the Temporary Support Mechanism Offshore Wind Energy (TOWOZ), based on an independent cost analysis by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL).
Minister Hermans highlighted that the Offshore Wind Energy Action Plan initially aimed for a 2 GW tender with subsidies in 2026. However, the PBL report shows the budget is insufficient for 2 GW, necessitating a focus on a 1 GW tender to ensure success.
Previously, in 2025, the government delayed tenders for IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A and IJmuiden Ver Gamma-B due to challenging market conditions and reduced electricity demand. These sites will now be awarded through separate procedures.
The Dutch government announced in September 2025 the revival of the subsidy scheme for 2026 tenders as a temporary solution while working on the CfD model.
According to Minister Hermans’s January 16 letter, delaying the tender could stall offshore wind development, affecting sustainable industrial processes, supply chains, and increasing grid tariffs via TenneT. Hermans stated, “If the government does nothing, offshore wind energy development will be halted indefinitely. This has a direct impact on achieving climate goals and energy independence, and will put the brake on the economy.”
The draft tender regulation is currently open for consultation for six weeks, with final regulations expected in the coming months before the September launch.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz