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enero 8, 2025

The Netherlands rethinks its marine solar energy strategy amid technological challenges

The Dutch government has decided not to include criteria for floating solar panels in the upcoming offshore wind farm tenders. According to Minister Hermans, the technology required is not yet ready for large-scale implementation. However, €44.5 million will be allocated to its development and future integration into offshore wind farms.
By Lucia Colaluce

By Lucia Colaluce

enero 8, 2025
solar

The Dutch government has decided to exclude requirements for floating solar panels in tenders for offshore wind farms planned for the third quarter of 2025. Minister Sophie Hermans, responsible for Climate and Green Growth, explained that this decision stems from current technological limitations and the pressure such additions would place on commercial arguments for offshore wind projects.

“The ambition to achieve 3 gigawatts peak (GWp) of floating solar capacity by 2030 is too ambitious, given discussions with the market,” Hermans stated in the recent Zonnebrief 3.0. She emphasised that the necessary technologies remain in an early stage of development, introducing additional uncertainties for new offshore wind projects.

A necessary but temporary pause

Although these requirements have been removed, the government remains committed to floating solar as a long-term solution. To this end, a budget of €44.5 million from the Climate Fund has been allocated to an innovation programme. This initiative aims to refine the technologies required for scalability and to fund pilot projects within existing offshore wind farms.

Additionally, research will continue into the ecological and cumulative impacts of floating solar energy and its integration with offshore wind farms. The goal is to ensure the technology is not only viable but also sustainable and efficient in marine environments.

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Progress in renewable energy in the Netherlands

While floating solar faces delays, the Netherlands continues to make strides in renewable energy. For the first time, over 54% of electricity generated in the country comes from sustainable sources, according to the Dutch Association for Sustainable Energy (NVDE). This includes 20% photovoltaic energy, 15% onshore wind, 13% offshore wind, and 6% biomass.

However, the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) has warned that achieving the target of 55 TWh of sustainable energy by 2030 is unlikely without additional policies. This challenge highlights the importance of fostering all available renewable technologies and implementing strategies to maximise the use of existing capacity.

Solar energy as a solution to grid congestion

Electricity grid congestion remains one of the biggest challenges to the growth of renewable energy in the Netherlands. However, Holland Solar, a leading industry association, argues that the grid is not entirely full but needs to be utilised more intelligently. “The solar energy sector is ready to provide flexible solutions that connect supply and demand while easing the burden on the electricity grid,” the association noted.

Key proposals to optimise grid use include technologies such as home batteries, charging stations, and heat pumps. These solutions, combined with incentives such as a «flexible bonus», could encourage greater self-consumption of photovoltaic energy, reducing dependence on the grid and mitigating congestion.

The impact of solar priority order on projects

Another challenge cited by the sector is the impact of the solar priority order, which favours installing panels on roofs and urban areas over agricultural or natural land. While this policy aims to protect landscapes and natural resources, Holland Solar warns that it has complicated the approval process for new projects, delaying implementation and making it harder for developers to remain in the market.

Despite these difficulties, the government has announced a €150 million allocation from the Climate Fund to support initiatives such as solar carports and agro-photovoltaic projects. These strategies aim to maximise the use of available space while reducing pressure on agricultural land, promoting sustainable development.

A call to action

The decision to exclude floating solar criteria has drawn criticism from the sector but also underscores the need for a more strategic approach. Holland Solar insists that abandoning goals is not a solution and urges the government to formulate concrete policies to stimulate the development of floating solar energy within existing offshore wind farms.

In the meantime, the Dutch government is focusing on innovation and research as pillars to overcome current barriers. This approach aims to ensure that, in the future, floating solar energy can be efficiently integrated into the energy system, reinforcing the Netherlands’ position as a leader in the transition to renewable energy.

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