North Sea countries present a new vision for expanding offshore wind energy infrastructure

At the annual meeting in Odense, energy ministers from countries cooperating within the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) presented recommendations to the European Commission. The goal is to transform the North Sea areas into Europe’s green energy hub. The meeting was attended by representatives from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.

Ambitious target of 300 GW of offshore wind energy by 2050

NSEC member countries have committed to achieving at least 300 GW of offshore wind power by 2050. The joint declaration highlights the need to integrate the European energy market, create common planning frameworks, and accelerate the implementation of renewable energy projects, including financing the development of hybrid offshore projects.

The recommendations include increasing the transparency of the offshore wind supply chain. It is proposed to create a digital tool that will monitor auction schedules, production capacities, equipment demand, and port infrastructure. According to WindEurope, Europe will be able to produce 9.5 GW of wind turbines annually by the end of 2025, significantly accelerating offshore wind energy development.

Ministers also emphasized the need for new financing mechanisms for offshore projects. Initial discussions are underway to create a “regional marine fund” to support the construction of integrated grids and hybrid wind farms. This project would be based on collaboration between the European Commission, member states, and private investors.

Full cooperation with the UK is essential

One of the key points of the meeting was the role of the United Kingdom. WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson highlighted that the full involvement of the UK is essential for achieving offshore wind development goals. This collaboration could contribute to building international hybrid projects that would connect different countries in the region.

The NSEC meeting also confirmed the strategic importance of the North Sea as the future center of renewable energy in Europe. Through the joint efforts of member states, the region is set to become the continent’s “green power station,” with the potential to produce hundreds of gigawatts of clean energy.

Source: windeurope.org