Studying port infrastructure needs for offshore wind energy

The challenge: new port infrastructure is needed to support offshore wind in the North Sea

In April 2023, the EU’s North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) agreed on ambitious new targets for offshore wind power in the North Sea: at least 120 GW of installed capacity by 2030, and 300 GW by 2050.

Seaports play a crucial role in the further build-out of offshore wind energy. This applies to construction and maintenance of wind farms as well as the landing and system integration of their generated power. Ports must invest heavily in infrastructure upgrades and expansion in order to provide these services.

In 2023, Royal HaskoningDHV was commissioned to carry out a detailed analysis of offshore wind port infrastructure needs for North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) member countries. The study was requested by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) as part of the Dutch co-presidency of NSEC.

The study's primary goal was to provide clear conclusions and actionable recommendations for port developments that best serve the offshore wind industry. 

The solution: a comprehensive study to set the agenda for port development

Royal HaskoningDHV carried out the project in close collaboration with RVO. We mapped, categorised, and prioritised the needs of offshore wind port infrastructure and related energy systems, bringing key stakeholders together, and advising on immediate solutions.

An advisory board was also established comprising representatives from the Ministries of Economic Affairs, Climate Policy and Infrastructure and Water Management, NSEC, the European Commission, the WindEurope ports platform and the Netherlands Wind Energy Association. The advisory board had the opportunity to provide solicited and unsolicited advice for the study. 

To achieve solid results, the report combined quantitative and qualitative research with structural stakeholder engagement. Throughout the process, the research team engaged stakeholders to provide essential industry insights and review the work. 

For the purpose of this research, a port survey and value chain interviews were conducted, in addition to an expert workshop and a stakeholder webinar. 

Our tasks in the project included:

• Forecasting offshore wind deployment, current and future port infrastructure, and performing a gap analysis to determine trends over time
• Identifying key bottlenecks and solutions for offshore wind port development
• Analysing the regulatory framework that currently limits the port developments needed for offshore wind – and exploring potential solutions

The result: clear recommendations and opportunities for stakeholders

The study received wide attention and has aided in mobilising stakeholders to act on expanding the port capacity for offshore wind. 

It was used to formulate recommendations to the energy ministers of the nine NSEC Countries and the European Commission. It included clear recommendations for public stakeholders, ports and private stakeholders, and financial stakeholders.