The PAWOZ focuses in the first instance on the available routes for distributing electricity from two wind farms located to the north of the Wadden Islands: Windpark Doordewind (DDW) with a capacity of 4 GW and Windpark Ten Noorden van de Waddeneilanden (TNW), which is a 500 MW demonstration project for hydrogen.  

TNW is also capable of supplying electricity. In the long term, more wind farms may be built to the north and north-west of the Wadden Islands. Routes for power transmission cables and/or hydrogen pipelines have also been mapped out for these potential wind farms. 

The possible routes run from (future) wind farms in the North Sea, through the Wadden area, along the Wadden Sea coast, across the mainland to the national high-voltage grid at Eemshaven and to the Waterstofnetwerk Nederland (Dutch national hydrogen network). 

Eemshaven has been selected as the preferred location for the electricity to come ashore via cables and/or pipelines. A high-voltage and hydrogen network is already in place in and around this area, providing connections to the national electricity grid and the planned Dutch hydrogen network. Local industry, some of which is energy-intensive, also has a significant need for sustainable energy, so this would allow an immediate and substantial reduction in carbon emissions.

In the PAWOZ, routes have been identified where there is sufficient physical space and environmental scope for laying cables and pipes. Sufficient physical space means that the routes are feasible in light of the technical requirements and the constraints relating to the cables and pipelines. Sufficient environmental scope means that permits can be awarded for the routes based on environmental impact assessments, taking into account potential mitigation measures, cumulative effects and statutory limit values.  

Under the Environment and Planning Act, a planMER is required for a project of this magnitude. This is an environmental statement that systematically, transparently and objectively identifies the project’s environmental impacts.  

It also identifies measures to prevent or minimise adverse environmental impacts. The investigation covers more than the environment alone. For example, the Integrated Impact Analysis (Integrale Effect Analyse, IEA) also covers other areas such as engagement and stakeholder management and costs (see figure).

Several routes through the Wadden Sea were examined, including one route intended solely for cable systems, two routes intended solely for pipelines, and two routes intended for both cable systems and pipelines. A tunnel system beneath the seabed with an entry point in the North Sea was also examined. 

The impact analyses for the Wadden Sea routes show that each route is associated with significant challenges in respect of minimising environmental impacts. There are more possible routes for pipelines than for cable systems, because cable systems must come ashore in Eemshaven, whereas pipelines can also make landfall at other connection nodes in the Waterstofnetwerk Nederland.

These tunnels are approximately 27 kilometres long, have an entry point on an artificial island in the North Sea, pass under the Wadden Sea, and then emerge near Eemshaven. An innovative idea that has never before been implemented in this form anywhere in the world.  
To assess the feasibility of an energy transition tunnel, we researched a number of key aspects relating to: 

• heat generation and cooling concepts for this solution; 
• consequences of possible short circuits, electromagnetic interference (EMC) and earthing; 
• methods for safely and efficiently installing long cables or pipelines in a tunnel;
• techniques for boring a 27-kilometre tunnel to an artificial island, without an intermediate station;
• low-maintenance design for general safety and safe maintenance. 

 This investigation – along with a number of supporting studies – lays the groundwork for a programme in which the Ministry will decide which routes may be used for cables and pipelines. The planMER was submitted in early 2025. 

Link to the report: MER-hoofdrapport - Programma Aansluiting Wind Op Zee (PAWOZ) - Eemshaven - (Ontwerp)programma