Start/Stop notifications
If masses of birds are expected to be migrating across the North Sea, the Minister of Climate Policy and Green Growth issues the recommendation or decision to stop the offshore wind turbines. This page gives details of relevant information.
Recent notifications
In view of the predicted massive bird migration over the North Sea, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth has decided that wind farm operators must reduce the rotation speed of offshore wind turbines to less than 2 rotations per minute during March 27, 2026, from 03:00 to 06:00 hours Central European Time.
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021.
In view of the predicted mass bird migration across the North Sea, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth has decided that offshore wind farm operators must reduce the rotational speed of offshore wind turbines to fewer than 2 revolutions per minute on 4 October 2026, from 00:00 to 06:00 CET (summer time).
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I for the Borssele wind farm zone, as adopted on 24 March 2016 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision II for the Borssele wind farm zone, as adopted on 24 March 2016 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision III for the Borssele wind farm zone, as adopted on 24 March 2016 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision IV for the Borssele wind farm zone, as adopted on 24 March 2016 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision V (innovation site) for the Borssele wind farm zone, as adopted on 24 March 2016 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision I for the Hollandse Kust (zuid) wind farm zone, as adopted on 8 December 2016 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision II for the Hollandse Kust (zuid) wind farm zone, as adopted on 8 December 2016 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision III for the Hollandse Kust (zuid) wind farm zone, as adopted on 10 January 2018 and last amended on 30 January 2026;
- Site Decision IV for the Hollandse Kust (zuid) wind farm zone, as adopted on 10 January 2018 and last amended on 30 January 2026; - Site Decision V for the Hollandse Kust (noord) offshore wind farm zone, as adopted on 4 April 2019 and most recently amended on 30 January 2026;
In view of the predicted massive bird migration over the North Sea, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth has decided that wind farm operators must reduce the rotation speed of offshore wind turbines to less than 2 rotations per minute during March 24, 2026, from 00:00 to 06:00 hours Central European Time.
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021.
In view of the predicted massive bird migration over the North Sea, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth has decided that wind farm operators must reduce the rotation speed of offshore wind turbines to less than 2 rotations per minute during March 23, 2026, from 21:00 to 24:00 hours Central European Time.
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021.
In view of the predicted massive bird migration over the North Sea, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth has decided that wind farm operators must reduce the rotation speed of offshore wind turbines to less than 2 rotations per minute during March 18, 2026, from 00:00 to 06:00 hours Central European Time.
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021.
In view of the predicted massive bird migration over the North Sea, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth has decided that wind farm operators must reduce the rotation speed of offshore wind turbines to less than 2 rotations per minute on March 17, 2026, from 18:00 to 24:00 hours Central European Time.
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021.
The Minister of Climate and Green Growth recommends reducing the number of revolutions per wind turbine of the wind farms mentioned in the site decisions below to less than 2 revolutions per minute on November 9, 2025, from 00:00 to 06:00 CET.
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021;
The Minister of Climate and Green Growth recommends reducing the number of revolutions per wind turbine of the wind farms mentioned in the site decisions below to less than 2 revolutions per minute on November 8, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM CET.
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021;
The Minister of Climate and Green Growth recommends reducing the number of revolutions per wind turbine of the wind farms mentioned in the site decisions below to less than 2 per minute on October 14, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM CET (summer time).
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021;
The Minister of Climate and Green Growth recommends reducing the number of revolutions per wind turbine of the wind farms mentioned in the site decisions below to less than 2 per minute on 13 October 2025 from 00:00 to 06:00 CET (summer time) and on 13 October 2025 from 18:00 to 00:00 CET (summer time).
This advice applies to the offshore wind farms listed in the following site decisions:
- Site Decision I, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016;
- Site Decision V (Innovation Site) Borssele Wind Energy Area, as adopted on March 24, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021; - Site Decision I, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision II, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on December 8, 2016, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision III, Hollandse Kust (South) Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision IV, Hollandse Kust (South), Wind Farm Area, as adopted on January 10, 2018, and amended on January 24, 2021;
- Site Decision V, Hollandse Kust (North), as adopted on April 4, 2019, and amended on January 24, 2021;
Legal framework
During periods of bird migration over the North Sea, there is a risk that migratory birds will fly at the rotor height of wind turbines. To prevent bird fatalities to the greatest extent reasonably possible, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth has decided to include a requirement in the site decisions for offshore wind farms. This requirement stipulates that, during nights (the period from 18:00 to 06:00 Central European Time) when mass bird migration is forecast, the rotational speed of each wind turbine must be reduced to fewer than 2 revolutions per minute. The Minister is authorized to issue a decision to halt the wind turbines pursuant to Article 3 of the Offshore Wind Energy Act (Wet windenergie op zee) and the adopted site decision.
What is the mechanism for reaching a recommendation?
The starting point is a prediction of bird migration across the North Sea, generated by a migration forecasting model developed by the University of Amsterdam on behalf of the government. If the model predicts migration exceeding a specific threshold of birds per hour during a given period of the night, this is classified as a predicted mass migration event. A team of bird experts reviews the prediction. Simultaneously, grid operator TenneT analyzes the risks to the security of electricity supply. Ultimately, the Minister of Climate and Green Growth decides whether or not to reduce the rotational speed of the offshore wind turbines to fewer than two rotations per minute.