Draft Site Decision Published for Nederwiek NW I-B Offshore Wind Farm
The Dutch government has released the draft Site Decision for the proposed Nederwiek NW I-B offshore wind farm, initiating a public consultation period that will run until August 27, 2026.
Located within the Nederwiek (NW) Wind Farm Zone, this offshore wind development is projected to have a capacity of approximately 1 GW. The electricity generated will be transmitted to the shore at Borssele.
This project is part of the Netherlands’ broader strategy to enhance energy independence, bolster supply security, and achieve national climate objectives.
Key Updates in the Draft Site Decision
The draft Site Decision outlines several revisions compared to earlier site decisions for offshore wind projects.
Notably, the draft has removed specific provisions regarding shipping traffic in Natura 2000 areas and nitrogen deposition within these protected zones. It has also introduced new requirements related to cybersecurity and financial assurances for future decommissioning processes.
Environmental stipulations have been tightened in various aspects, including mandates for nature-inclusive construction techniques, measures to minimize disturbances to guillemots, monitoring protocols for bat populations, and strategies to mitigate underwater noise during foundation installation.
The consultation period provides an opportunity for stakeholders and interested parties to submit feedback on the draft decision prior to its finalization.
The Nederwiek NW I-B site is among the developments outlined in the Netherlands’ offshore wind program, with the government utilizing Site Decisions to establish the framework for future wind farm development and operation. Source: RVO