The Dutch government has announced that offshore wind developers will be able to apply for permits with subsidies for two new 1-gigawatt (GW) offshore wind farms at the IJmuiden Ver site by the end of 2026. This decision marks a significant step in the Netherlands’ transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy, strengthening energy independence and supporting industrial decarbonization.

The two wind farm sites, IJmuiden Ver Gamma-A and Gamma-B, will be connected to a single offshore platform operated by TenneT, with electricity transmitted to the mainland at Maasvlakte. Coordinating both permits simultaneously is expected to maximize the efficiency of the offshore grid, reduce connection costs, and allow the projects to become operational together. Once completed, the combined output of the two wind farms will be sufficient to power approximately two million households.

Applications for both tenders are expected to close in December 2026, giving developers sufficient time to prepare their proposals. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) anticipates awarding the permits and associated subsidies in the first quarter of 2027, with energy generation expected to begin around 2032.

For IJmuiden Ver Gamma-B, the maximum subsidy is set at €0.103 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), slightly lower than Gamma-A due to better expected wind conditions at the site. The tender follows the SDE++ framework, which compensates developers for the difference between production costs and market revenues, with payments adjusted according to electricity prices.

Both tenders will undergo a six-week public consultation, allowing stakeholders to provide input before the final regulations are issued in the second quarter of 2026. While the rules for Gamma-B are largely identical to those for Gamma-A, the consultation is conducted separately due to the site’s different location.

Background and Policy Context

This announcement builds on a January 2026 plan to launch a 1 GW tender at Gamma-A, backed by €2.5 billion in subsidies, including €900 million from the Climate Fund and €1.6 billion from the SDE++ scheme. The financial support aims to address rising development costs and market uncertainty, which have put pressure on offshore wind deployment in the Netherlands. Initial advice from the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) recommended offering only one 1 GW site due to budget constraints, but following additional budget approval in the Spring Memorandum and a parliamentary motion, the government confirmed that a second 1 GW tender at Gamma-B would proceed in 2026.