Prime Minister Mark Rutte and climate minister Rob Jetten signed a joint declaration in Ostend, Belgium, with eight other European countries to make the North Sea the “green energy center of Europe”. The Netherlands has therefore committed to increasing its offshore energy production in the coming years. “Together we must ensure that we realize these ambitions in the coming years as well,” said Jetten.
The nine countries have ambitions to produce 120 gigawatts by 2030 and 300 GW in 2050. According to the host of the second North Sea Summit, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, this capacity is sufficient to deliver green energy from wind and subsequently from hydrogen to 300 million households in Europe.
More offshore wind farms
Four of nine already agreed last year in Esbjerg, Denmark to build more offshore wind farms. This concerned the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Denmark. The coalition has now expanded to include Ireland, France and Luxembourg in seven EU countries plus the UK and Norway. According to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, since last year’s energy crisis, all leaders have understood that the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy must be accelerated.
The nine countries not only discussed increasing wind capacity, but also securing critical infrastructure and the layout of the North Sea as more and more wind farms are being built there. “The North Sea belongs to all of us,” Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. He believes it is necessary to find a “balance” between energy, food, nature and safety.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
