Dutch Pull the Plug on Offshore Wind Subsidies  Dutch Pull the
Plug on Offshore Wind Subsidies December 30, 2011  D. Brady
Nelson   The nation known for its iconic windmills is throwing
in the towel on offshore wind power, as Dutch officials have
determined the Netherlands can no longer afford large-scale
subsidies for expensive wind turbines that cannot produce
electricity at economically competitive prices.  The decision is
a powerful blow against renewable power advocates who have long
asserted Holland proves renewable power can be practical and
economical.  Offshore Wind ‘Very Uncompetitive’ “Offshore wind
remains a very uncompetitive option,” Dutch Minister of Economic
Affairs Maxime Verhagen told Wind Directions: The European Wind
Industry Magazine.  “Offshore wind remains a very expensive
option in the near future. The Dutch government is willing to
invest in innovation to bring down the costs of offshore wind
energy, but prices must come down considerably before large
scale investments can again be su