The Belgian offshore wind sector: An in-depth analysis

By Simon Rogissart

[February 2026]

Simon Rogissart is a researcher at the Ghent Institute for International and European Studies (GIES) at the Department of Political Science, Ghent University. He is part of the BE-WISE research team. He has expertise in Belgian and European (offshore) wind policy, with a focus on European green industrial policy. 

Executive summary: Belgium as an offshore wind pioneer

Belgium has long been a frontrunner in offshore wind energy, building on an early‑mover advantage that positioned the country among global leaders in installed capacity and technological innovation. As offshore wind became a cornerstone of both EU and Belgian strategies for energy security and decarbonisation, the previous Belgian federal government set out ambitious plans in 2021 to nearly double its installed capacity through the development of the Princess Elisabeth Zone. Yet, the European offshore wind sector has been challenged in recent years by macro‑economic pressures, supply chain disruptions, and a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape that has intensified global competition and insecurity. Against this backdrop, the European Union is deploying a new wave of green industrial policies to safeguard its clean‑tech competitiveness, and 2026 is marked as a crucial year for the offshore wind sector, both within Belgium and at the EU level. This report provides a timely overview of the current state and policy preferences of the Belgian offshore wind industry.

The BE‑WISE project built the first in‑depth database mapping the Belgian offshore wind sector. We proceeded in three steps: broad data collection, rigorous cleaning and identification of Belgian-based firms, and a qualitative assessment of their actual offshore wind activities. This produced a sample of 230 companies. The database was further enriched with insights from a sector‑wide survey conducted in April-June 2025 as well as 2024 financial data. Below, we highlight eight key lessons from this analysis.

A mature, capital-intensive sector

Belgium hosts 230 companies active in offshore wind, predominantly clustered in the Flemish Region (81.3%), with a smaller presence in the Brussels‑Capital Region (11.3%) and the Walloon Region (7.4%). The sector employs an estimated 11,000 people, representing 11.5% of the European offshore wind workforce. It is a mature industry, generating an operational profit (EBITDA) of EUR 1.4 billion in 2024.

The sector is also highly capital‑intensive, with total assets amounting to EUR 22 billion—an average of EUR 76 million per employee. This underscores its reliance on large‑scale infrastructure and its vulnerability to inflation and rising interest rates.

Strongly embedded in Belgium, with large firms driving economic impact

Belgium’s offshore wind sector is firmly rooted domestically: 88% of companies are SMEs, and 76% are Belgian‑owned. These SMEs, often with niche expertise, form essential links in the offshore wind value chain. However, the economic weight of the sector is concentrated among large firms (more than 250 employees), which account for 78% of total employment—representing 7,416 workers.

Strength in services, with significant manufacturing capacity

Belgian companies hold strong positions across the service‑oriented segments of the offshore wind value chain, with a particularly robust presence in operations and maintenance (36% of companies and 24% of employees, or 2,319 FTEs). Belgium also hosts specialised players in supporting services (57% of companies and 16% of employees), project development and siting (25% of companies and 15% of employees), and assembly and installation (24% of companies and 17% of employees).

Belgium’s manufacturing capacity for offshore wind components remains significant. This segment accounts for 19% of total employment (1,840 FTEs), illustrating the presence of large industrial actors. However, these figures do not exclusively reflect manufacturing: several producers also operate Belgian facilities dedicated to policy‑related, coordinating, or maintenance activities.

Growth in innovation

Despite recent headwinds, companies remain strongly oriented toward future growth. Only 8% report no expansion plans, while 62% identify opportunities within Belgium, 68% within the EU, and 39% outside the EU. As offshore wind is globally viewed as essential for the energy transition, security, and independence, the Belgian sector is eager to capture this growth potential.

Companies expect the strongest opportunities in innovative segments. For example, 17% aim to specialise in the decommissioning of wind farms, while 13% foresee growth in R&D and testing infrastructure. This is particularly relevant given the planned decommissioning of the Eastern Zone, for which the De Wever government is developing a policy framework.

A globalised sector with Europe as the main market

Given its high degree of internationalisation, it is unsurprising that the offshore wind sector is highly sensitive to geopolitical shocks. More than 70% of surveyed companies report offshore wind activities outside Belgium, both elsewhere in Europe and globally.

Europe, however, remains by far the most important import and export market—and is expected to stay so. For 78% of firms, Europe is highly important, and for 82% it is the primary expansion market. Asia and North America follow at a considerable distance.

Certainty in geopolitically uncertain times

Europe’s offshore wind sector continues to face significant pressure, and Belgian companies are no exception. Survey results show that firms are most affected by insufficient and uncertain demand, driven by delayed or failed auctions across Europe and recently also in Belgium. Long‑standing structural challenges—especially slow and complex permitting procedures—further hinder expansion. In addition, macroeconomic shocks such as high inflation, rising commodity prices, and increased financing costs have reshaped investment conditions.

Companies are also increasingly exposed to the new geopolitical reality, marked by intensifying Chinese competition, trade uncertainty, and rising concerns about physical and cyber‑security risks. Europe and Belgium can provide more certainty through systemic demand, streamlined permitting processes, and targeted risk‑mitigation measures.

The emergence of EU green industrial policy

The European Commission has shifted from a liberal policy paradigm toward a more interventionist green industrial strategy, as illustrated by the Clean Industrial Deal and the Net‑Zero Industry Act. In this context, the Belgian offshore wind sector expresses generally positive—but nuanced—preferences regarding green industrial policy instruments.

First, companies show the strongest support for EU‑level funding—both for manufacturing and non‑manufacturing activities. National state aid receives more mixed reactions: while manufacturing firms welcome it, non‑manufacturing firms remain sceptical, largely due to concerns about Belgium’s limited fiscal capacity.

Second, companies broadly support trade defence instruments (including CBAM and anti‑dumping/anti‑subsidy measures), while continuing to favour free trade agreements that expand foreign market access. This reflects a classical policy preference: protecting the domestic market while opening external markets, driven primarily by level‑playing‑field considerations.

Third, a majority of firms support non‑price criteria in auctions—especially sustainability, responsible business conduct, and cybersecurity requirements. As the EU moves toward “Made in Europe” criteria, these appear to receive support from the sector. However, the opposition for local content requirements remains notable, reflecting practical concerns and potential WTO compatibility issues.

Can Belgium remain a frontrunner in offshore wind?

At the European level, the shift toward a more proactive industrial strategy—with the Clean Industrial Deal and the NZIA—places the competitiveness of the sector at the forefront. The European Commission increasingly views the protection of the European wind sector as a geopolitical necessity, illustrated by the deployment of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation and the Net‑Zero Industry Act in the face of (unfair) Chinese competition.

Europe has one of the world’s largest offshore wind markets, with globally leading companies. The sector identifies Europe as both its most important current market and its main future growth market. In January 2026, leaders and energy ministers from 9 North Sea countries met in Hamburg to use this opportunity and establish a turning point for the sector—an event deemed necessary as confidence in the targets set during the previous North Sea Summit in Ostend has waned considerably.

To safeguard Belgium’s position as an offshore wind frontrunner, clear and credible policy action is now essential. The federal government must rapidly provide certainty on the Princess Elisabeth Zone—its tender timeline and grid connections—while accelerating permitting and preparing a robust framework for future decommissioning. Ensuring strong alignment between Belgian and EU action will be key to maintaining investor confidence, strengthening domestic capabilities, and enabling the sector to seize emerging opportunities in an increasingly competitive geopolitical environment.

Infographic of the Belgian offshore wind sector