The eight countries of the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), meeting in Odense (Denmark) on 24 October (see EUROPE 13512/7), issued a joint declaration with recommendations to the new European Commission to ensure the deployment of offshore wind power in the North Sea in order to contribute to European competitiveness.
The signatories to the declaration (Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Norway and Ireland) assert that “the North Seas can serve as an important component in improving the EU industrial competitiveness, having the potential to supply Europe’s industrial sector with clean energy at competitive prices(...)”.
The target set by the NSEC’s energy ministers in the Ostend Declaration in 2023 (see EUROPE 13168/15) is to achieve at least 300 GW of installed offshore wind energy by 2050.
Integrated energy system. In order to meet this ambition, the eight energy ministers who signed the Odense Declaration are asking the new Commission, as a matter of priority, to guarantee an integrated energy market that “functions properly throughout Europe”.
This includes an analysis of how Europe’s energy system can support the development and integration of more “fluctuating” renewable energy in an efficient way.
They also advocate the construction of a solid infrastructure network, supported by a specific cross-border infrastructure fund.
They also ask that the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) should not hinder the development of offshore wind energy.
Financing. Generally speaking, the signatories want the Commission to establish a framework for joint planning, in order to obtain benefits and share costs.
They also advocate accelerating and reducing the risks associated with renewable energies and infrastructure projects, for example by setting up a regional offshore financing mechanism.
In addition, they encourage improved access to and use of EU funding for energy projects of “European value”, including the optimisation of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the mobilisation of the Innovation Fund for the development of cross-border renewable energy projects.
Transparency. In addition, the signatory ministers call on the Commission to strengthen European competitiveness and transparency in the value chain, in particular by developing a digital transparency tool and by “exploring a potential platform for aggregation of production demands of components, technical equipment, etc.”
They also recommend that the development an electrification strategy and coordinated use of non-tariff criteria in auctions and tenders under the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA).
Finally, the signatories ask the Commission to study the possibilities for developing renewable hydrogen in the North Sea and to ensure cooperation between all the partners, including the United Kingdom.
To see the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/e1x (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)