In just two weeks this May, five European countries reactivated their offshore wind tendering processes, signalling a powerful – albeit unofficial – regional synchronisation. Decisions from Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Lithuania, and Estonia not only reflect concrete steps towards new projects but also highlight strategic and regulatory adjustments aimed at unlocking investment at a pivotal moment.
Norway has reopened the tender for its first commercial floating wind project, Utsira Nord, targeting 1.5 GW of installed capacity. The process had been halted in March due to regulatory uncertainties. Now, the Ministry of Energy has confirmed that the auction will proceed before the end of the year, following a revision of the tender rules to ensure more transparency and competition. Simultaneously, the government is preparing a separate tender for Sørlige Nordsjø II – Phase 2, focused on power export via interconnections.
Meanwhile, Denmark announced it would restart its offshore wind tender programme this autumn, following delays that disrupted its initial roadmap. The government is not only maintaining its ambition to deploy over 9 GW of offshore capacity, but is also introducing state financial support to facilitate project bankability. This move is expected to ease financing hurdles amid rising costs across the supply chain.
In the Netherlands, the approach has shifted. Rather than launching two separate tenders as originally planned, the government has opted to consolidate them into a single-site auction, prioritising process efficiency. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the new structure will offer better conditions for industry participation and stronger environmental criteria.
Estonia has initiated a competitive auction process for the development of an offshore wind farm in the Saare 7 area, located approximately 12 km west of Saaremaa Island. The auction, scheduled to take place from 10 to 12 June 2025, has attracted two qualified Estonian developers: Sunly Wind OÜ and OÜ Utilitas Wind. The designated area spans 158.9 km², with a starting price set at €2,383,500 and a minimum bid increment of €50,000. The proposed capacity for the wind farm ranges between 552 MW and 2,000 MW, depending on the final project design. Following the auction, the winning bidder will be required to commence the superficies licence and environmental impact assessment procedures within 90 days. The environmental impact assessment programme must be submitted within 18 months, and the final report within 24 months after the programme’s approval.
Finally, Lithuania will relaunch its second offshore tender in June, following parliamentary approval of new rules aimed at improving competitiveness. Unlike the previous round, which failed to attract bids, the revised framework introduces moderate subsidies and longer construction timelines, better aligning delivery schedules with market dynamics. The goal is to allocate 700 MW in the Klaipėda offshore area.
Diverse frameworks, aligned objectives
Each country is pursuing a tailored strategy, yet the shared goal remains clear: accelerate offshore deployment in line with EU climate targets. The range of approaches illustrates how regulatory frameworks are adapting to local market maturity. While Norway and Estonia are initiating their first commercial-scale builds, Denmark and the Netherlands are refining mature mechanisms to improve results.
Three core trends are emerging:
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Regulatory reforms to unblock tenders (e.g. Norway and Lithuania)
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Partial subsidies or state-backed incentives (e.g. Denmark)
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Tender consolidation and timeline realignment (e.g. the Netherlands)
Regional impact and supply chain momentum
Together, these five processes could add over 12 GW to Europe’s offshore pipeline, which is already targeting 120 GW by 2050 under European Commission forecasts. If delivery schedules stay on track, most of this new capacity will be operational by the next decade, boosting regional supply chains in components manufacturing, port infrastructure, and skilled labour development.
Technologically, the inclusion of floating wind in Utsira Nord also reaffirms Europe’s leadership in innovation, while expanding offshore development beyond the traditional North Sea cluster. The Baltic states are emerging as new offshore hubs, with Estonia and Lithuania stepping into prominent roles.
A turning point for European offshore wind
The volume, timing and variety of these announcements mark a new phase for European offshore wind. The urgency to meet 2030 and 2050 climate targets, coupled with financial headwinds across the industry, has prompted governments to act decisively: by adjusting regulatory frameworks, introducing financial levers, and offering developers more certainty.
With five countries relaunching within days of each other, Europe is not only reactivating its pipeline but reasserting global leadership in offshore wind, at a time when China is expanding rapidly and the US faces regulatory headwinds.
The window of opportunity is open, and the continent appears determined to seize it.
