Netherlands leads EU green tech push with two strategic net-zero projects
Two Dutch projects—Sif’s offshore wind foundations and Power2X’s eFuels Rotterdam—have been designated as EU ‘Strategic Projects’ under the Net-Zero Industry Act. This status accelerates the energy transition, cuts industrial emissions, and strengthens Europe’s clean tech independence, directly impacting jobs and climate goals.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Projects | Sif (offshore wind foundations), Power2X (eSAF, synthetic fuels, chemicals) |
| Location | Maasvlakte (Sif), Port of Rotterdam (Power2X) |
| Capacity (Sif) | 3.6–4.2 GW offshore wind power |
| Fuel Production (Power2X) | Synthetic aircraft fuel (eSAF), synthetic fuels, basic chemicals |
| EU Act | Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) |
| Status Benefits | EU recognition, financing advice, subsidy leverage, procedural acceleration |
| Minister | Stientje van Veldhoven (Climate and Green Growth) |
| State Secretary | Jo-Annes de Bat (Climate and Green Growth) |
The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy oversees the implementation of EU climate policies, including the Net-Zero Industry Act. Its role is to designate strategic projects that align with national and European decarbonisation goals while fostering industrial innovation and energy independence.
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2 Dutch projects designated as ‘Strategic Project’ under European Net-Zero Industry Act
The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy has designated 2 Dutch projects as ‘Strategic Project’ under the European Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA). Minister Stientje van Veldhoven of Climate and Green Growth granted this status to a production facility by Sif for offshore wind foundations and the eFuels Rotterdam project by Power2X for the production of synthetic aircraft fuel (eSAF), synthetic fuels and basic chemicals in the port of Rotterdam.
Both projects have been submitted to the European Commission as NZIA Strategic Projects, as they are crucial for the decarbonisation of industry. The Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) supports the European Union (EU) in developing clean technology and thus contributes to achieving European climate targets. By designating these strategic projects, the Commission highlights which initiatives contribute to both accelerating the energy transition and strengthening European industry and strategic autonomy.
Stientje van Veldhoven (Minister of Climate and Green Growth): “These are exactly the projects we need to decarbonise our industry. They show that the Netherlands can take a leading role in clean technology and simultaneously strengthen our position in Europe.”
Projects
Sif is developing an expansion of production capacity for foundations for offshore wind turbines on the Maasvlakte. These foundations are an essential component of offshore wind farms and contribute to the further deployment of offshore wind energy. This project can make a substantial contribution to the European Union’s climate targets. The project’s capacity can deliver 3.6–4.2 GW of offshore wind power.
Power2X is developing a facility in the port of Rotterdam for the production of eSAF (synthetic aircraft fuel), synthetic fuels and basic chemicals based on imported green methanol. In doing so, the project contributes to the decarbonisation of both the aviation sector and the chemical industry.
Significance of the status
The ‘Strategic Project’ status is part of the Net-Zero Industry Act. This act aims to increase the production capacity of clean technologies within the European Union and strengthen the security of supply of these technologies.
The status does not come with direct financial resources. The main effects are:
- European recognition through, among other things, the NZIA platform and communication by the European Commission;
- Access to advice on financing, including European funds and investment opportunities;
- Possibility to use the status as substantiation in subsidy applications, such as with the Innovation Fund;
- Recognition as a project of national importance, which can lead to acceleration in specific procedures.
Jo-Annes de Bat (State Secretary for Climate and Green Growth): “It is great to see that projects like these are now taking a real step forward. The NZIA status helps to speed up the process and actually realise plans.”
Contribution to European targets
The designated projects contribute to the EU’s objectives in the field of industrial decarbonisation and strategic autonomy. By developing and scaling up production capacity for clean technologies in Europe, these projects support the transition to a climate-neutral industry. At the same time, dependence on third countries is reduced and supply security is increased.
Other projects may also qualify for the ‘Strategic Project’ status under the NZIA. Companies with projects focused on the production of net-zero technologies (techniques and industrial solutions that contribute to decarbonising the economy) can contact RVO for more information on NZIA.