Partnership of three companies aims to compete for concessions for Princess Elizabeth

Three leading energy companies – Eneco, Ocean Winds (the offshore wind joint venture of EDP Renewables and ENGIE) and Otary – have formed a strategic partnership (subject to all required regulatory/competitive approvals) to jointly compete for the concession of the Princess Elisabeth offshore wind farm in Belgium.

Offshore wind is a cornerstone of the Belgian energy transition, as it offers one of the most cost-effective, safe and reliable ways of generating energy. The consortium, which is already working in the country with the SeaMade offshore wind farm, which has been successfully operating since the end of 2020, combines expertise and experience in generating clean energy from offshore wind, while opening up local opportunities and creating local jobs.

The consortium was formed to compete in the upcoming tenders for the Princess Elizabeth Zone (PEZ), which will be divided into three lots: one for the development of a 700 MW offshore wind farm and two lots for the development of offshore wind farms, each with a capacity of 1,225 to 1,400 MW. All of the offshore wind farms are located in areas that will enable bottom-mounted technology. The consortium plans to participate in each of the upcoming PEZ tenders, with the first one expected in 2025.

Joining forces and participating in tenders will allow Ocean Winds, Otary and Eneco to submit the most competitive offer and deliver state-of-the-art offshore wind farms, thus increasing their contribution to the Belgian energy transition.

Preparatory work is already underway, including site assessments by the government and the construction of Princess Elisabeth Island for the offshore grid connection via Elia. However, much work remains to be done to ensure timely implementation of the project, including the Ventilus and Boucle du Hainaut projects for onshore grid reinforcement.

Eneco, with a renewable production capacity of over 2,500 MW, is a leading player in the supply and production of renewable energy and one of the largest and most prominent players in the wind energy sector in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the UK. Eneco Wind Belgium has over 500 MW of onshore and offshore wind capacity in Belgium.

With 1.5 GW of offshore wind already in operation and a further 2 GW under construction in France and the UK, Ocean Winds is a leader in the offshore wind industry. As a 50:50 joint venture between ENGIE and EDPR, Ocean Winds successfully develops, builds and operates offshore wind farms in eight countries.

Otary has played a key role in the development of offshore renewable energy in Belgium. With an 800 MW operational portfolio, the company has proven its ability to develop, construct and operate reliable, cost-effective renewable energy projects. Leveraging its local presence and experience, Otary aims to submit the most competitive bid.

The tender process is expected to be highly competitive, with several leading global players competing for the concessions. However, the consortium’s combined experience, innovative approach and commitment to excellence position them as strong competitors.