Dutch offshore wind energy connections take shape: where will the power land?
The Netherlands is mapping out how to bring offshore wind energy ashore via cables and pipelines. This major infrastructure project will impact coastal regions, energy costs, and local communities. Have your say on the plans before they finalize later this year.
| Region | Electrical Landings | Hydrogen Landings |
|---|---|---|
| North Brabant | Moerdijk (max 2 landings) | - |
| North Holland | Julianadorp, Egmond aan Zee, Castricum, Velsen-Noord/Heemskerk, IJmuiden | Den Helder, Tata Steel site |
| South Holland | Bleiswijk, Wateringen, Simonshaven, Europoort | Maasvlakte |
| Zeeland | Sloe area, Zeelandic Flanders | Ruled out |
| Northern Netherlands | Oude Westereems route, Tunnel route | Ameland-Wantij, Zoutkamperlaag, Tunnel route |
| North Sea | Multiple wind farms, minimal impact on ecology | - |
Key Facts:
- Public consultation: 6 weeks starting Q2 2026
- Electrolysis sites: Moerdijk under investigation
- Programme phase: Design programme with preferred alternatives (VKA’s)
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy leads the VAWOZ programme to ensure offshore wind energy is efficiently connected to the national grid and hydrogen network. This initiative is critical for meeting the Netherlands' climate goals and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
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Status update on the Connection Programme for Offshore Wind Farm Landings (VAWOZ)
Offshore wind energy is crucial for the Dutch energy transition, energy independence, and achieving climate goals. The energy generated in the North Sea must be brought ashore via power cables and hydrogen pipelines. These cables and pipelines will be connected to the electricity grid and hydrogen network. The Connection Programme for Offshore Wind Farm Landings (VAWOZ) by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy is investigating where and how this energy from the sea can best be connected on land.
What is the VAWOZ programme?
The VAWOZ programme conducts research into various locations and routes to enable the connection of energy from the sea:
- Routes to bring energy from (future) wind farms ashore via power cables and hydrogen pipelines.
- Locations to connect the cables and pipelines to the electricity grid and hydrogen network on land.
- Promising locations for large-scale electrolysis on land.
Investigated routes and locations
The VAWOZ programme has examined potential routes, landing sites (where connections come ashore), and connection sites (where connections are made to the energy system on land) in 5 regions on land and in the North Sea.
- North Brabant: Electrical landings in Moerdijk.
- North Holland: Landings at, among other places, Julianadorp, Egmond aan Zee, Castricum, Velsen-Noord/Heemskerk, and IJmuiden, with connections to existing and future high-voltage substations. Connection sites for hydrogen have also been investigated near Den Helder and the Tata Steel Netherlands site.
- South Holland: Connection of wind energy to substations in Bleiswijk, Wateringen, Simonshaven, and Europoort; hydrogen landing on the Maasvlakte has also been considered.
- Zeeland: Electrical landing in the Sloe area and Zeelandic Flanders. Hydrogen landing in Zeelandic Flanders has been ruled out.
- Northern Netherlands: Routes for electricity and hydrogen have been examined within PAWOZ-Eemshaven and included in VAWOZ. For electrical connections, these are the Oude Westereems route and the Tunnel route. For hydrogen, the routes are Ameland-Wantij, Zoutkamperlaag, and the Tunnel route.
- North Sea: Connections run from multiple wind farms, with attention to short routes and minimal impact on, among other things, fishing, shipping, ecology, and safety.
Maximum of 2 offshore wind landings in Moerdijk
In Moerdijk, the VAWOZ programme has investigated the possibilities for a maximum of 2 electrical landings of offshore wind energy. The programme has also examined the spatial possibilities for large-scale electrolysis at the potential landing site in Moerdijk. An electrolyser is a 'hydrogen factory' that produces green hydrogen using electricity from wind energy. Within the Nederwiek 3 project, route alternatives for cables and search locations for converter stations for the landings in Moerdijk (and Geertruidenberg) have been investigated. The VAWOZ programme is using the results from the Nederwiek 3 study.
Programme phase and regional advice
The VAWOZ programme is now in the phase where the design programme is being drawn up. This will include the preferred alternatives (VKA’s), which will later be further developed in project procedures.
Next steps
The design programme will be made available for public inspection in the second quarter of this year. This means the document will be publicly accessible. From that moment, everyone will have 6 weeks to submit their views on it. Information evenings and webinars will also be organised. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy will respond to these views in a Response Note, which may lead to adjustments in the programme. After this, the Minister for Climate and Green Growth will finalise the programme. Once the programme is finalised, TenneT and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy will further develop the preferred alternatives in project procedures, with involvement from the local community.
More information about VAWOZ
- View the plans for the North Brabant region
- PDF file Public brochure (4 March 2026) – VAWOZ programme
- Animation of the Connection Programme for Offshore Wind Farm Landings. You can find the animation under the heading ‘Animation – what is the VAWOZ programme?’
Energy projects in Moerdijk
The VAWOZ programme is one of the projects in the Powerport region of Moerdijk. An overview of all plans is available at www.moerdijk.nl/energieprojecten. For each project, you can share your opinion at various stages. The municipality recommends doing so. The national government, province, municipalities, and water authority are working together on a plan that integrates energy, the economy, and well-being. More information is available at www.moerdijk.nl/powerport.