Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 8, A steel-cutting ceremony has been held in Vlissingen, marking the start of construction for the jacket of the 2GW IJmuiden Ver Beta wind farm’s offshore platform. The structure is being built by Heerema Fabrication Group as part of TenneT’s 2GW programme, in collaboration with the Seatrium and GE Vernova consortium.

The jacket will measure 90 metres in length, 43 metres in width, and weigh over 10,000 tonnes, making it one of the largest steel structures ever built in the Netherlands for offshore wind. Jackets play a critical role in anchoring platforms to the seabed, ensuring the stability of the topsides above, which house transformers and high-voltage installations, even in severe North Sea weather.

The IJmuiden Ver Beta platform will be the first of a new series of 2GW connections that TenneT is developing in the Dutch and German North Sea. The wind farm, operated by Zeevonk, a joint venture between Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), will have an installed capacity of 2GW. The first 1GW phase is scheduled to be commissioned in 2029, followed by an additional 1GW in 2032.

Jessie van der Linden, director of the 2GW programme at TenneT, said: “Today we are taking an important step towards the realisation of the first 2GW platform. I am proud to see that a Dutch company such as Heerema Fabrication Group will be building these jackets. Their craftsmanship and experience contribute to the success of this programme, which is crucial for the energy transition and our energy independence. It shows once again that the realisation of the energy infrastructure of the future is also firmly anchored in our own country.”

Samuel Wong, executive vice president of fixed platforms at Seatrium, commented: “We are honoured to be TenneT’s trusted partner for this critical 2GW programme. The steel cutting ceremony for the IJmuiden Ver Beta jacket is not just a milestone – it’s a bold step in energy transition, providing the stable foundation needed for a sustainable energy future. We look forward to strengthening our long-term partnership to bring TenneT’s vision to life.”

Richard Spronk, chief executive of Heerema Fabrication Group, added: “We are proud that we can contribute our expertise to TenneT’s 2GW programme. This contract confirms the confidence in our craftsmanship and gives us the opportunity to work together on a sustainable energy infrastructure for the future.”

By 2032, wind farms in the Dutch North Sea are expected to supply around 75% of the Netherlands’ current electricity consumption. TenneT will ensure that the electricity generated is connected to the Dutch high-voltage grid. The company has confirmed that its 2GW programme will serve as the new standard for offshore wind connections, reducing the number of cables and platforms required, and making construction more efficient and sustainable.

Between now and 2032, TenneT plans to deliver 13 of these 2GW connections across the Dutch and German North Sea, reinforcing the region’s role in expanding renewable energy generation.