Spatial planning
Climate change and the ambition adopted in the Working programme 'Clean and Efficient' that 20% of the energy that we produce should be renewable by 2020 has led to a shift in spatial planning in the North Sea. The government is working on incorporating the working programme’s spatial target of approximately 6,000 MW of wind energy installed capacity in the North Sea.
National Water Plan
In the National Water Plan 2009, the central government designated a number of areas in the North Sea to be reserved for wind energy. Preparations for the allocation of these locations were announced in June 2008, together with an outline for a new policy for offshore wind energy. The National Water Plan is still awaiting Parliamentary approval.
Allocating offshore wind areas
Offshore wind areas are areas where, according to the government, wind farms could be realised while taking into account other functions in the North Sea, such as ecological conditions, shipping and air traffic or oil and gas exploration. The point of departure is an area large enough for the generation of 6,000 MW in 2020.
The total surface area of the wind areas will be at least 1,000 km². The offshore wind areas were allocated using a Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment and the structural vision National Water Plan.
More information
- Document Policy Document on the North Sea 2009-2015
- Document National Water Plan 2009-2015
- Website Notitie windgebieden op zee, februari 2010 (Dutch only)
