A dredge sludge depot near IJmuiden in the Netherlands is being developed into an energy port that will support the construction of wind farms in the North Sea.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Province of North Holland, the Municipality of Velsen, Tata Steel, IJmuiden Seaport and the port of Amsterdam signed a partnership agreement earlier this month that will see the parties transform the facilities, located at the former Averijhaven, into an operational base for the construction and maintenance of wind energy projects.
Located on the seaside of the North Sea Canal, just before the IJmuiden lock complex, the energy port will support, for example, the construction of the Hollandse Kust West and IJmuiden Ver wind farms, said the port of Amsterdam.
Tata Steel is allowing land access to the energy port through its site in Velsen North. The company is also providing 5 ha of industrial estate.
With Tata Steel’s area, as well as the existing acreage of the Averijhaven, the public port area will cover more than 15 ha. A 580 m quay will be installed at the port area, 200 m of which will be suitable for heavy-duty operations, with a water depth of 12.5 m. The remaining 380 m will have a water depth of 10 m.
The port of Amsterdam and IJmuiden Seaport will be responsible for the commercial operation of the energy port, on behalf of the other partners.
