UK utility company SSE and APG, representing Dutch pension fund ABP, are advancing with the development of the 2GW IJmuiden Ver Alpha offshore wind project in the Netherlands.
Located 62km offshore Ijmuiden, the project will supply 7% of the Netherlands' current electricity needs.
The final investment decision is anticipated by late 2025, with the aim of commissioning by the end of 2030.
SSE Renewables will construct the project on behalf of the SSE-APG consortium, Noordzeker, which last month secured the rights to the pre-developed and fully consented offshore wind site from the Netherlands government.
The Noordzeker consortium, which includes SSE Renewables, ABP and its asset manager APG, will enter a 40-year lease for the Alpha site, with an annual payment of €1m.
The consortium recently received a permit to construct and operate a station in the IJmuiden Ver wind farm zone as part of a 4GW auction conducted in early 2024 by the Netherlands authorities.
For SSE, the tender for IJmuiden Ver represents the first seabed award in the country's established offshore wind market.
The joint venture partners will reimburse the €20m cost to the authorities for undertaking prior environmental impact assessments and site characterisation studies.
Utilising the data from these studies, the consortium will advance the final design of the wind farm. The site also benefits from a guaranteed grid connection to the Netherlands national grid, which will be developed by TenneT.
The Netherlands government has ambitious offshore wind targets, aiming to tender 21GW by 2032 and 50GW by 2040.
SSE's involvement in the IJmuiden Ver Alpha project, in which it holds a 1GW share, bolsters its offshore wind pipeline to 9.3GW.
For ABP, with a 1GW share through APG, the project represents a significant investment in renewable energy, aligning with its commitment to sustainable growth.
SSE Renewables managing director Stephen Wheeler said: “We are pleased to be progressing development of the 2GW Alpha site in the IJmuiden Ver wind farm zone with our consortium partners APG and ABP.
“Our successful bid is testament to the work the consortium and its partners have undertaken to put forward a compelling set of proposals to sensitively develop our proposed offshore wind project in a manner that will positively contribute to the marine environment while delivering a cleaner and more secure energy system for the Netherlands.”
In July 2024 SSE and Equinor, partners in the Dogger Bank D offshore wind project, submitted their scoping report to the UK's Planning Inspectorate.
