First Power

Offshore Windpark Egmond aan Zee (OWEZ) commenced initial production by 1 November 2006, the date on which the Dutch MEP (Milieukwaliteit Elektriciteits Productie) renewable production subsidy of €97/MWh began for the project's 10-year term. The MEP support specifically commenced "during initial production" per the NoordzeeWind/Shell OWEZ-R-141 General Report, anchoring November 2006 as the project's first-power milestone — the moment when the first turbines started generating and exporting electricity into the Dutch grid via the 34 kV shore connection cables and the 150 kV Continuon grid extension to Velsen-Noord. The MEP support framework was the principal operating-phase revenue mechanism for OWEZ alongside an investment-phase EIA tax credit and a €27.2 million CO₂ grant; total state-aid approval from Brussels was finalised in early 2006. The MEP term ran until 1 November 2016. First power preceded the project's final substantial completion (take-over date 31 December 2006), reflecting the staged turbine commissioning approach where individual WTGs were brought online progressively as foundations and inter-turbine cables came online during the second half of 2006. OWEZ was the Netherlands' first large-scale offshore wind farm; first power at this site represents the start of large-scale offshore wind electricity production in Dutch waters.