Amsterdam, Oct. 5 (WindNewsToday) – Offshore wind projects in the Netherlands have faced an unusual temporary pause this week as authorities sought to protect migrating birds crossing the North Sea. Several of the country’s largest installations, including Borssele I & II, Borssele III & IV, Hollandse Kust Zuid, and Hollandse Kust Noord, were temporarily shut down, according to The AD reports.
The shutdowns, which occurred on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, left many turbines nearly idle during the peak of the autumn bird migration season. Millions of birds travel over the North Sea on their way to southern Europe and Africa, raising concerns about collisions with turbine blades. The move underscores the Netherlands’ growing commitment to balancing renewable energy expansion with ecological protection.
A Pause for Wildlife Protection
The temporary halt is part of the Start/Stop project, launched several years ago to mitigate environmental risks posed by offshore wind energy. Using advanced predictive modeling of bird migration patterns, operators are alerted up to two days in advance when heavy migration is forecast, allowing them to safely reduce or halt turbine operations.
Dutch authorities and wind farm operators believe these measures can significantly lower bird collisions, which have become a concern as North Sea wind farms expand rapidly. The Start/Stop project demonstrates that even with technological advancements, nature sometimes dictates the pace of energy development.
North Sea Wind Farms Affected
Among the impacted North Sea wind farms, the Borssele Offshore Wind Farm zone is the most notable, with a total installed capacity of 1,502.5 MW:
- Borssele I & II – Developed by Ørsted, featuring 94 Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines with a combined capacity of 752 MW. Full operations were achieved by late 2020, and the site has been used for testing innovations like cargo drones.
- Borssele III & IV – Built by the Blauwwind II consortium, including Shell, Van Oord, Eneco, and Mitsubishi, with 77 Vestas V164 9.5 MW turbines totaling 731.5 MW.
- Borssele V – A smaller demonstration project with two Vestas V164 9.5 MW turbines, focused on testing emerging offshore technologies.
- Hollandse Kust Zuid – Located 18 km off the Dutch coast, this four-part complex, developed by Vattenfall, became fully operational in September 2023 and is one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms.
Balancing Energy Expansion and Ecology
The Netherlands is a global leader in offshore wind development, pursuing ambitious climate goals that require large additions of renewable energy. Yet, rapid expansion presents environmental challenges, particularly for marine ecosystems and migratory birds.
By pausing turbine operations during peak migration hours, Dutch officials aim to ensure ecological protection while continuing to grow clean energy infrastructure. Millions of birds pass over the North Sea each year, and turbines can pose collision risks, especially at night or in poor weather.
Controversy and International Parallels
The Dutch pause comes amid broader global debates over offshore wind projects. In the United States, the Trump administration’s offshore wind ban threatens Ørsted’s multi-billion-dollar projects, including New York’s Empire 1 Wind Project, Lava Ridge, and Rhode Island’s Revolution Wind. Approved during the Biden administration, these projects were hailed as cornerstones of America’s clean energy transition. Critics argue Trump’s shutdowns represent a retreat from climate commitments at a time when the world is moving toward low-carbon energy.
The Trump administration claims the projects are expensive, unreliable, and a national security risk, sparking one of the most divisive energy debates in modern American history. Some observers see a parallel between this U.S. policy and the Netherlands’ own temporary turbine shutdowns—not in political intent, but as a reminder that ambitious renewable energy development often must contend with environmental and societal pressures.
Implications for the Offshore Wind Sector
These temporary shutdowns highlight a key question for the global offshore wind industry: How can offshore wind projects expand while minimizing environmental impacts? Initiatives like the Start/Stop project could serve as a model for other nations where major bird migration routes overlap with planned wind farm zones.
Dutch officials suggest similar measures could become standard during spring and autumn migrations. Wind farm operators note that short-term halts have minimal impact on overall energy output, showing that wildlife-friendly practices can coexist with ambitious renewable energy goals.
As offshore wind capacity scales across Europe and beyond, the Netherlands’ approach may influence international best practices for wildlife protection. Lessons from the North Sea could guide project planning from Europe to the United States and Asia, ensuring that energy transition does not come at the expense of biodiversity.
Key Takeaway
The sight of stationary turbines along the North Sea horizon underscores the complex balance between advancing offshore wind projects and protecting ecosystems. While progress in renewable energy is essential for climate targets, nature sometimes demands a pause. By integrating ecological protection into operational decisions, the Netherlands demonstrates that sustainability requires both technological innovation and environmental stewardship.