The Energy Ministers from nine North Sea countries held their annual meeting in Odense, Denmark, where they reiterated plans to develop the North Seas as Europe’s central hub for green energy production. The North Seas Energy Cooperation forum—comprising Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the European Commission—supports offshore grid and renewable energy development in the region. The UK, no longer part of the forum, left in 2020 following Brexit.
During the meeting, ministers outlined recommendations to the EU Commission to strengthen Europe’s wind energy supply chain. Key priorities included advancing hybrid offshore wind farms that connect multiple countries, establishing energy islands, and creating a new financing facility for offshore projects. The ministers also stressed the need for UK involvement in these initiatives.
The joint declaration emphasized that a national approach is insufficient for the scale of offshore wind projects anticipated in the North Seas. To accommodate growing demand, international coordination and investment in new and expanded manufacturing facilities are essential for a robust European supply chain.
The ministers proposed a “digital transparency tool” to provide visibility across the wind energy supply chain. This tool would offer insights into auction schedules, manufacturing capacities, equipment needs, and port capacities among the North Seas countries, with a long-term goal of including the UK and Norway.
Challenges remain, including a shortage of offshore wind installation vessels, port infrastructure limitations, and the need for skilled workers. However, by 2025, Europe is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 9.5 GW of offshore wind turbines. European companies are investing over €10 billion in building and expanding facilities to support turbine production, foundations, cables, and grid infrastructure.
To sustain this growth, the ministers encouraged efforts to increase capital access and promote a level playing field with global competitors. They acknowledged the European Wind Power Package and the EU Grids Action Plan as positive steps toward supporting wind energy investments.
Preliminary discussions have begun on establishing an “offshore regional facility” that would provide financing support at the sea-basin level. This facility would help fund meshed grid infrastructure and hybrid projects, offering solutions to issues around cost-sharing and risk management.
WindEurope, an industry group, expressed strong support for the facility, with CEO Giles Dickson commending the North Seas Energy Ministers for their clear recommendations to enhance offshore wind development over the EU’s next five-year mandate.
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