Nine European governments have agreed a combined 120GW offshore wind capacity target for this decade.
The administrations have also pledged to more than double it to 300GW by 2050.
The targets increase those set by the 2022 Esbjerg Declaration by Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands as France, Luxembourg, Norway, Ireland and the UK have now joined to sign Monday’s Ostend Declaration.
The countries have agreed to jointly develop the North Sea as a “green power plant of European” by connecting up countries with “joint hybrid/multi-purpose and cross-border offshore projects and hubs”, including “the possibility for co-financing by countries without direct access to the sea”.
“We will further endeavour to accelerate deployment of offshore renewables and connectivity within the maritime area encompassed by the signatory countries of this Declaration, including the Irish Sea, the Celtic Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean,” stated the declaration.
“We will seek to develop a resilient, transparent and sustainable regional offshore renewable energy supply chain and further aim to safeguard the supply of relevant critical raw materials through import diversification, increased European output, and the enhanced circularity of offshore renewable energy and grid infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, the countries added they will take all relevant and appropriate steps to secure critical infrastructure in the North Seas.
“We will work together to increase the security of offshore and underwater infrastructure within NATO and the EU,” the stated.
“Underlining that energy security and the fight against climate change are crucial to the future of Europe, we need to strengthen our cooperation to ensure affordable, secure and sustainable energy, while at the same time, continuing our efforts to protect the marine ecosystem.
“In response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and attempts of energy blackmail against Europe we will accelerate our efforts to reduce fossil fuel consumption as well as dependence on fossil fuel imports and promote the rapid upscaling and deployment of renewable energy for an energy resilient Europe and guarantee the resilience of our offshore energy infrastructure.
“Our common endeavour is to produce European renewable energy from the North Seas, including offshore wind and renewable hydrogen, contributing to competitive energy prices, climate neutrality and energy security.”
UK Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps (pictured, left) led a delegation from the UK including senior executives from SSE and ScottishPower.
He said: “Today’s deal at the North Sea Summit has the UK centre stage, using its world-leading expertise in renewable technologies to boost the supply of cleaner, cheaper, more secure offshore wind as part of wider efforts across the continent.
“This will create green jobs across the country, and will ultimately lead to lower bills for consumers as we move away from more expensive fossil fuels.”