The project, connected to TenneT’s offshore transmission network, is expected to supply 3.3 TWh of renewable electricity annually once fully operational by the end of 2026.

Ecowende’s 760 MW Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm has been connected to TenneT’s offshore transmission grid and has started generating electricity, marking a significant milestone for one of the Netherlands’ most ambitious offshore wind projects.

Located 53 kilometers off the Dutch coast, the wind farm is being developed by Ecowende, a joint venture between Shell, Chubu and Eneco. The project comprises 52 Vestas wind turbines, each with a capacity of 15 MW.

Offshore construction began in December 2025 with the installation of the first monopile foundation. According to Ecowende, the wind farm is expected to reach full commercial operation by the end of 2026.

Once fully operational, the project will generate approximately 3.3 TWh of renewable electricity per year, enough to meet around 3% of the Netherlands’ total electricity demand. The electricity is transmitted to shore through TenneT’s offshore high-voltage transmission infrastructure, enabling its integration into the Dutch power system.

Biodiversity measures integrated into the project

Ecowende has incorporated a range of ecological measures aimed at reducing the environmental impact of offshore wind development while supporting marine biodiversity.

Among them, seven Vestas turbines feature a single red-painted blade as part of a study evaluating whether increased blade contrast can reduce bird collisions. Additional measures include a designated bird corridor, wider spacing between turbines, elevated nacelles, an adaptive curtailment system, and an AI-assisted radar monitoring system designed to detect birds and bats.

Below the waterline, specially designed scour protection creates crevices and sheltered habitats for fish and other marine species. The project is also testing fish holes integrated into monopile foundations to provide additional underwater habitat.

Operations and electricity trading

Daily operations and maintenance will be carried out by Eneco Wind Offshore Operations and Vestas Services, while electricity marketing will be managed by Next Kraftwerke together with SEEL and EET.

"We are delighted to have produced the first green electrons from the Ecowende wind farm," said Ekansh Aggarwal, Commissioning Manager at Ecowende. "While reaching first power is an important milestone, our focus remains on safely commissioning the remaining assets and delivering a reliable offshore wind farm that will generate clean electricity for decades to come."

Robin van Buchem, Chief Operating Officer of TenneT Netherlands, said the connection represents "another milestone in building the renewable energy infrastructure the Netherlands needs," adding that the transmission system operator is proud to help deliver clean North Sea electricity to Dutch homes and businesses.

Meanwhile, Marc Rühs, CEO of Next Kraftwerke, highlighted the project's contribution to electricity market integration and grid stability, noting that the company actively markets the wind farm's electricity across different markets to optimize both system performance and economic returns.