The North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) countries are launching a joint tender planning initiative with around 15GW of offshore wind auctions scheduled each year and almost 100GW of awards by 2030.
This will increase predictability in the wind energy sector and ensure better cooperation, said NSEC at its annual meeting attended by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the European Commission.
The United Kingdom was present as a guest.
In the past year, the Netherlands, together with the European Commission, chaired NSEC.
The group supports and facilitates the development of the offshore grid and the large renewable energy potential in the region.
The joint tender planning scheme aims to facilitate better cooperation and coordination in the areas of cables, pipelines, port infrastructure and access to raw materials.
This helps the European wind energy sector with their medium- and long-term (financial) planning, NSEC said.
The countries will also improve the coordination of infrastructure planning at sea.
In January 2024, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) will publish a joint plan for infrastructure in the North Sea, with input from NSEC countries.
This is an important step towards a European integrated energy system by 2050, the group said.
This plan takes into account the need for a fair balance with other sectors and users in the North Sea, such as the fishing and transport industries, it added.
EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simon said: “Europe’s energy mix is becoming cleaner and greener, and offshore renewable energy will be an indispensable part of the future energy mix.
“The North Sea is at the forefront of their development and has the potential to become Europe’s ‘Green Energy Plant’.
“Our discussions today demonstrated the shared determination and commitment to continue the work to deliver on our offshore ambitions and continue the work to strengthen the competitiveness of this vital sector.
“I would like to thank the Netherlands for hosting this year’s meeting in The Hague and for the impressive work done under the NSEC co-chair.”
Netherlands Minister for Climate and Energy Rob Jetten added: “In recent years, the North Sea countries have presented ambitious plans for the sustainable development of offshore wind energy.
“Now it’s time to put these ambitions into action. We all share the responsibility to develop the energy plans for the North Sea in a responsible manner, in coordination with other North Sea users and with minimisation of ecological impact.
“Close cooperation is the only way to successfully achieve our energy ambitions. Today we are starting the joint actions to take the sector to the next phase.”