Last year, we built 127 megawatts of wind turbines in the Netherlands. This is the lowest increase since 2017. There is now almost 7 thousand megawatts of generation capacity from onshore wind energy. This is shown by the new Wind on Land monitor from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Large Differences Between Regions
In 2024, 5 wind farms were (partially) realized in Flevoland, Groningen, Zeeland, Friesland, and Limburg. The share per region varies greatly. Flevoland provides the most wind energy per year with 6.11 terawatt-hours (TWh) in an average wind year. Followed by Groningen with a potential electricity yield of 2.73 TWh per year, and Friesland with 2.00 TWh. In the regions of South Limburg, Amersfoort, and Twente, there are still no wind turbines at all.
1,305 Megawatts of Wind Turbines Planned
By the end of 2024, there were still plans for 1,305 megawatts of wind turbines. Some of these wind energy projects receive subsidies from the Sustainable Energy Production and Climate Transition (SDE++) scheme. When these projects are completed, we can generate about 2 TWh extra in an average wind year.
Climate Goal Achievable
According to the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, the climate goal of generating 35 TWh of electricity from solar and wind farms on land by 2030 is quite achievable. However, the necessary growth for long-term goals is not continuing. The Wind on Land monitor also shows this picture.
Development of Wind Turbines Slows Down
A large number of wind energy projects were delayed in 2024 or even temporarily stalled. Several factors were important for the development of wind turbines:
- The Council of State ruled on the environmental standards for wind turbines in 2021. We still do not know when the national environmental standards will come into effect and what they will look like. This creates uncertainty for initiators of wind farm projects.
- The concerns and objections of residents near a planned wind farm delay decision-making at municipalities.
- The global security situation is also an important factor. The Ministry of Defense needs more space. This sometimes means that planned wind farms near defense areas and/or training grounds cannot proceed.
What is the Wind on Land Monitor?
The Wind on Land monitor aims to show the status of wind energy in the Netherlands as completely as possible.
- How much capacity for wind energy has been realized nationally and regionally?
- What is the expected electricity yield per year?
- What new projects are planned?
- How do various factors affect the development of onshore wind energy?
The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) compiles the monitor with input from the government, provinces, municipalities, and market parties.
Want to Know More?
- Ministry of Climate and Green Growth