TenneT Responds to Dutch Senate’s Decision

Following the Dutch Senate’s decision to dismiss the ‘Stroom’ bill, TenneT said that it will work with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to come up with a customized schedule as soon as possible, since the first grid connection of wind farms in the waters off Borssele will now be delayed. 

Mel Kroon, TenneT’s CEO, said that as of the 1^st January no offshore grid manager is appointed and the first tender for the Borssele wind farm developers is now postponed. “As a result of this the further development of offshore wind in the Netherlands will experience delays,” Kroon said.

The Ministry of Economic affairs already announced at the beginning of this month that it will postpone the tender procedure for Borssele I & II sites until mid-January 2016.

TenneT hopes the Ministry of Economic Affairs will submit a new legal proposal to the House of Representatives as soon as possible, which will include key legislation elements, such as the introduction of the offshore grid manager and the ability to enter into cross-shareholdings with other transmission system operators (TSOs).

The Dutch TSO has already started with the preparations for the development of an offshore grid. Preparatory works such as applying for permits, designing of offshore wind platforms and establishing of cable routes for the Borssele wind farms are in full swing, and TenneT said it will continue with the necessary preparations while working with the Ministry on the customized schedule.