12.11.2026
IPMA is delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of the Vestas and the Ecowende – Hollandse Kust West Offshore Wind Farm project at the IPMA Global Awards 2026. The project was recognized in the Large and Mega-sized Projects category and received the Best Sustainability Project Management Award, highlighting excellence in managing a large-scale and highly complex project while placing sustainability at the heart of its delivery.
The IPMA Global Awards judges highlighted the pioneering nature and exceptional complexity of the Ecowende – Hollandse Kust West Offshore Wind Farm project, recognizing its ability to combine technical excellence with environmental responsibility and effective project management. Particular emphasis was placed on the project’s distinctive “One Team” culture, which brought together Vestas, Ecowende, suppliers, and contractors through trust, openness, shared success criteria, and empowered decision-making. The judges also commended its disciplined execution, supported by tailored stage gate governance, rehearsal of concept sessions, and proactive management of offshore resources, alongside innovative ecological measures aimed at protecting wildlife and minimizing environmental impact.
Beyond these achievements, the judges also highlighted the project’s pioneering technical accomplishments. The assessed phase marked the delivery of the first V236-15 MW turbine in Dutch waters and the successful validation of critical interfaces for the 52-turbine wind farm, demonstrating the project’s ability to navigate significant technical complexity and establish an important milestone in offshore wind energy development.
“The offshore wind industry is convinced that large-scale deployment of offshore wind is the optimal solution for achieving energy security, energy independence, affordability, and sustainability. Vestas’ latest offshore model, the V236-15.0 MW, began offshore installation last year – we completed installation of the 100th wind turbine in June this year, and the 200th in September – we are steadily and rapidly advancing industrial-scale deployment toward realizing the global energy transition.” states Slawomir Michaluk, IPMA Level A certified Project Director at Vestas.
For Hollandse Kust West, the assessment highlighted several aspects of the project’s approach, including its strong “common goal” culture and focus on employee well-being and empowerment, which supported collaboration, team morale and decentralized problem-solving.
The project’s recognition also reflects its strong environmental focus, demonstrating how sustainability can be embedded into the delivery of a major infrastructure project.
The project’s environmental focus was another important element of its recognition. Ecology is a major aspect of Hollandse Kust West, with innovative measures being tested and verified to protect birds and wildlife, demonstrating a commitment to integrating environmental considerations into the delivery of a major renewable energy project.
“Delivering a project of this scale takes more than technology. It requires strong project management, rigorous planning and close collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, logistics, installation and commissioning. For Ecowende, project success means more than delivering renewable energy at scale. It means rethinking how offshore wind is designed and built, with ecology at the heart of the project. Through ecological innovations, extensive monitoring, research, data and knowledge sharing, we are building something that is bigger than our own offshore wind farm. We are shaping the next generation of offshore wind farms in harmony with nature. This recognition is a testament to what can be achieved when strong project execution and an ambitious approach to ecology and sustainability go hand in hand.” emphasized Folkert Visser, Ecowende Project Director.
Located approximately 53 kilometres off the Dutch coast, near IJmuiden in the Netherlands, Hollandse Kust West is an offshore wind farm with an operational capacity of approximately 760 MW, equivalent to around 3% of the current Dutch electricity supply.
The project encompasses the engineering, supply, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of 52 Vestas V236-15.0 MW wind turbines. The wind farm is being developed for Ecowende, a joint venture between Shell, Eneco and Chubu.
The project represents an important example of how large-scale renewable energy infrastructure can combine ambitious technical delivery with environmental responsibility, while maintaining a strong focus on the people and teams behind its successful delivery.
The awards were presented during the IPMA Awards Gala on 18 September 2026 in Hiroshima, Japan, as part of the 35th IPMA World Congress.
IPMA congratulates Vestas and the entire Ecowende – Hollandse Kust West project team on this outstanding achievement and their contribution to advancing sustainable project management.
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