(Esbjerg / Denmark) – The energy ministers of the four North Sea countries Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium want to cooperate more closely with regard to offshore wind energy and green hydrogen. An agreement that has now been reached states that in the future “hybrid” offshore cooperation projects will be developed “that combine wind farms and power grids and to which several member states are connected”. As a result, the North Sea region should develop as a “Green Power Plant of Europe” and supply the EU with green electricity.
Energy from Europe instead of Russia
Fossil fuels, including Russian oil, coal and gas, would be replaced by European renewable energy from the North Sea. The four countries have set themselves expansion targets for offshore wind energy of at least 2030 gigawatts by 65, and by 2050 it should be 150 gigawatts - a tenfold increase in current generation capacity. The goal for hydrogen is to achieve a production capacity of around 2030 gigawatts by 20. “We want to expand our production even further by 2050,” the statement says.
The plans of the countries
Denmark will build an “energy island” in the North Sea by 2033 with an initial offshore wind power capacity of three gigawatts and lay an electricity transmission line to mainland Denmark, Belgium and later Germany and the Netherlands. Offshore wind power capacity of at least ten gigawatts should be achieved by 2030, and around 2050 gigawatts by 35 - even more if demand for green electricity is high.
A Danish consortium called “VindØ” already had plans to build an artificial one in 2021 energy island on the production, storage and distribution of wind power off Jutland and commissioned a feasibility study. Power-to-X systems should also use green electricity on site.
Belgium will also build an offshore energy island and build wind power plants with a capacity of 2030 gigawatts by 5,8 and eight gigawatts by 2040. Germany will build at least 2030 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 30, 40 gigawatts by 2035 and 70 gigawatts by 2045. The The Netherlands will install approximately 2030 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 21.
The ministers also expressed their support for the European Commission's plans to "develop a well-functioning market for green hydrogen to accelerate deployment and ensure a high level of security of supply of affordable green hydrogen and energy for industry."
The joint declaration by the four North Sea countries was signed on Wednesday (May 18) in the Danish port city of Esbjerg at the “North Sea Summit”, a meeting of heads of state and government as well as energy ministers. Also present were EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson and company representatives from all participating countries.
Agreement between Germany and Denmark
Germany and Denmark also signed a bilateral declaration of intent. The two countries agreed to work closely together in the future in the area of green hydrogen and the development of cross-border infrastructure.
This includes the creation of a legal framework and common standards at European level to support a green hydrogen economy. In addition, the development of a hydrogen infrastructure for the storage and transport of green hydrogen will be promoted and cross-border trade and in particular the construction of a hydrogen pipeline between Denmark and Germany will be examined. In addition, excess heat from electrolysers should be used and green hydrogen integrated into industrial processes such as steel and ammonia.
The agreements between the four countries are “the basis for the first real European power plants that generate electricity from renewable energies,” said Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck. This further reduces dependence on gas imports.
Photos
Chancellor Scholz (left), EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte at the North Sea Summit in Esbjerg. © Federal Government / Bergmann
Agreement of the Energy Ministers verbatim (five pages)
Agreement between Germany and Denmark verbatim (two pages)
