The EU must recognise the critical role of offshore wind ports in its trans-European transport network policy (TEN-T), according to WindEurope.
With an ongoing revision the EU wants its TEN-T to better support the transition to a cleaner, greener and smarter mobility in line with the European Green Deal.
This will only succeed if the eligibility criteria for TEN-T don’t penalise offshore wind ports, the representative body argued. With its trans-European transport network policy (TEN-T) the European Union aims to build an efficient, multimodal, and high-quality transport infrastructure across the EU – comprised of roads, railways, waterways, and shipping routes.
The EU wants to use the ongoing TEN-T revision to make Europe’s transport networks fit for the delivery of the European Green Deal.WindEurope estimates that until 2030 alone Europe will need to invest €8.5bn in its port infrastructure.
This will require support at the European level to help countries and maritime regions coordinate and generate the necessary investments.WindEurope and the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) urge the European Union and Member States to recognise the vital role ports play in achieving carbon reduction through wind energy.
In particular, they should ensure that the TEN-T revision includes metrics that are in line with Europe’s decarbonisation objectives.
As things stand, ports choosing to transition from the hydrocarbons business to renewables are penalised as this leads to a reduction of tonnage handled, the pair said. WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson (pictured) said: “Ports are essential logistics hubs for offshore wind.
“We can’t build out offshore wind without also expanding and upgrading Europe’s port infrastructure.
“TEN-T must acknowledge that. Many tonnes of material are moved in and out of the ports during the storage, assembly and installation of wind turbines.
“But that’s not the end of the story. Ports also ensure reliable and secure energy production at sea.
“But these essential operation and maintenance activities are not covered under the current criteria for ports to access the TEN-T network.
“MEPs must address this issue. TEN-T should include metrics that are in line with Europe’s decarbonisation objectives.”