Shell and Eneco join in Dutch offshore wind tenders Hollandse Kust (west) VI and VII

There are great ambitions for offshore wind. The roll-out must be accelerated, but in harmony with nature and integrated into the Dutch energy system. Shell and Eneco are taking on this challenge with their bids.

Ecowende

With the joint venture Ecowende joint, Shell and Eneco are aiming to initiate a movement to build offshore wind farms that have a net positive impact on nature. The aim is to build an offshore wind farm with a flourishing ecosystem, minimum impact on birds and bats and an undisturbed underwater world. This is important because there are great ambitions for offshore wind and the ecology of the North Sea must not be affected. Ecowende has developed an extensive programme for this with solutions and innovative experiments. This will be implemented with dozens of partners, including experts, knowledge institutions and commercial partners from the Netherlands and abroad. The program will contribute to the acquisition and improvement of knowledge and will bring the beauty of the North Sea to a wide audience.

SchakelWind

With the SchakelWind, Shell and Eneco are aiming to enable a new phase in the energy transition, for all the sectors in the Dutch Climate Agreement. The mission of SchakelWind is to set the new benchmark for the integration of offshore wind farms: a net positive impact on the Dutch energy system. In addition to wind farm Hollandse Kust (west) site VII, SchakelWind will be making a large number of investments throughout the country together with businesses. For example, there will be projects that fully move in sync with the power production of the wind farm. This will ensure that the green energy from the wind farm is used as effectively and widely as possible to make the Netherlands more sustainable. With various innovations and an extensive dissemination and communications program that will include internships and PhD research, SchakelWind will support the further integration of offshore wind in the future. 

It is expected that Hollandse Kust (west) VI and VII will supply enough energy to green approximately 6% of the Dutch electricity demand. Both wind farms will be located 53 kilometres off the Dutch coast, west of IJmuiden, and will be commissioned in 2026.

Marjan van Loon, President Director Shell Netherlands: “We are taking the next step by enabling the large-scale roll-out of offshore wind, in collaboration with Eneco. Through our bids for Hollandse Kust (west) we are investing significantly in the production of green energy and hydrogen. In this way, we work responsibly, and together with our customers, on a broader and cleaner energy system in the Netherlands."

Kees-Jan Rameau, Chief Strategic Growth Officer Eneco: “With these joint ventures, we will be able to further the energy transition in the Netherlands together with Shell, both at sea and on land and in all sectors. We will solve a number of important issues and thus make an important contribution to achieving the objectives in the Dutch Climate Agreement.”

The two companies are making it known through this announcement that they are participating in the tenders. It is now up to the government to assess the proposals and reach a decision. Until then, Shell and Eneco will not be providing any further details of the plans.