European trio teams up to bid for 3.5 GW of Belgian offshore wind

Dutch utility group Eneco, Belgian wind farms developer Otary and Ocean Winds, a joint venture between EDP Renewables (ELI:EDPR) and Engie SA (EPA:ENGI), have unveiled a plan to jointly pursue up to 3,500 MW of new offshore wind capacities in the upcoming Belgian tender.

The trio will form a strategic partnership, subject to regulatory clearance, to compete in the offshore wind tender for Princess Elisabeth concessions, a statement said on Friday.

The auction will be divided into three lots. One lot will offer the right to develop an offshore wind farm of 700 MW, while the other two developments will each range from 1,225 to 1,400 MW. All sites are suited for bottom-fixed technology.

The tripartite consortium, which previously developed the SeaMade offshore wind farm, intends to join the race for all three lots. The first auction is set for 2025.

The wind zone up for tender is part of the Princess Elisabeth Island project off the coast of Belgium. It is an artificial energy island currently under construction by a Jan De Nul joint venture. The project developers secured an environmental permit for the construction of the island in October.

The new offshore wind capacity has also grabbed the eye of other major energy companies, including a consortium of EDF Renewables, marine contractor Jan De Nul and energy group Luminous.

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