The installation of the Hollandse Kust West Beta (HWB) transformer station, located approximately 50 kilometers off the coast near Egmond aan Zee, signifies the completion of a phase in the energy transition. This station represents the last of seven identical offshore ‘sockets,’ each boasting a capacity of 700 megawatts, installed by Tennet over the past six years.

These offshore wind farms are projected to supply approximately 75 percent of Dutch electricity by 2032. To achieve this goal, wind farms will be situated progressively farther from the coastline.

The project, including cables and onshore transformer stations, represents a substantial financial commitment, with each socket costing approximately 400 million euros. This investment contributes to the increasing grid connection costs for Dutch citizens and companies.

Despite the costs, offshore wind has become the fastest growing sustainable energy source, accounting for one-eighth of the Netherlands’ total electricity production last year.

Looking forward, Tennet is transitioning to a new generation of transformer stations with a capacity of 2 gigawatts, nearly triple the size of the HWB. Over the next seven years, seven of these stations will be installed in Dutch waters, with an additional six planned for the German part of the North Sea.