Opening of SDE+ Subsidy and Permit tender Borssele Wind Farm Sites

On 8 April 2016, the final Wind Farm Site Decisions I and II (Kavelbesluit I en II windenenergiegebied Borssele) were published in the Government Gazette (Staatscourant). This was the last formal hurdle to be overcome in order for the first Borssele subsidy tender to open.

The application forms in respect of the tender can be downloaded from the website mijn.rvo.nl. The tender opened on 10 April 2016 and applications can be submitted from 11 April 2016 up to and including 12 May 2016, 17.00 CEST.

The subsidy and permits shall be granted to the applicant that fulfills all legal requirements and needs the least subsidy. In other words: the applicant with the lowest bid price per kWh is ranked the highest.

Wind Farm Site Decisions I and II

Several of the legal requirements that have to be fulfilled are laid down in the Wind Farm Site Decisions I and II. These Site Decisions, as published on 8 April 2016, can be found here:

Kavelbesluit I windenergiegebied Borssele (in Dutch);
Kavelbesluit II windenergiegebied Borssele (in Dutch);
Borssele Wind Farm Zone Wind Farm Sites I and II Project and Site Description (English version).

Interested parties, that have submitted a notice of objection against the draft Site Decisions, may lodge an appeal within six (6) weeks with the Council of State (Raad van State).

Amendment Power Plant Policy Rule

On 8 April 2016, the Amendment Power Plant Policy Rule (Beleidsregel wijziging productie-installatie) was also made available. In this policy rule, it is stated that – together with the application for the provision of subsidy – a plan has to be submitted for the use and exploitation of the wind farm. The Renewable Energy Production Incentive Scheme Decree (Besluit stimulering duurzame energieproductie) requires the subsidy recipient to realize and exploit the wind farm in accordance with such plan. It is expected that the winner of the tender has not yet finalized all financial arrangements and agreements with suppliers at the moment of provision of the subsidy. Therefore, it is deemed desirable that there is some flexibility as to certain aspects of the wind farm, e.g. because the turbine type described cannot be purchased for the expected price or because better turbines have become available. Furthermore, a more detailed investigation may disclose that the turbines can be positioned more efficiently. In the Renewable Energy Production Incentive Scheme Decree it is stipulated that an exemption can be granted to deviate from the plan originally submitted. Specifications in respect of such exemption are laid down in the Amendment Power Plant Policy Rule.

Wind Farm Site Decisions III, IV and V

The draft Wind Farm Site Decisions III, IV and V were also made available on 8 April 2016 (please click here to view the draft Wind Farm Site Decisions III, IV and V (in Dutch)).

The opening of the second tender (Borssele Wind Farm Sites III, IV and V) is expected in August 2016.

For an overview of all English posts published on Stibbeblog regarding Offshore Wind Energy, please click here.

The post Update on offshore wind energy: SDE+ Subsidy and Permit tender Borssele Wind Farm Sites I and II open as of 10 April 2016 is a post of Stibbeblog.