The Directors-General for Energy of the EU Member States, selected third countries, several Energy ministers, the European Commissioner for Energy, and industry stakeholders convened in Bruges on Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 May for the High-Level Offshore Event under the Belgian presidency.
The High-Level Offshore Event assembled both government and industry representatives to address the current challenges in the European offshore wind industry and to devise solutions that cater to all stakeholders. “One year after the North Sea Summit in Ostend, this event also represented a stocktaking moment for the participants to discuss the further development of offshore projects in the European Union,” a participant shared.
The EU has set ambitious targets for the role offshore can play in the green energy transition. “Now is the time to follow through on those ambitions and provide the appropriate financing and de-risking tools, develop frameworks to include add-on benefits and non-price criteria, all while maintaining our European competitiveness,” a representative stated.
On Wednesday, in the presence of 50 stakeholder representatives, kick-off panels and roundtables were held on the topics of innovative financing of offshore projects, add-on benefits and non-price criteria, competitiveness, and supply chains. At the end of the day, conclusions of these roundtables were presented by rapporteurs of the Directors-General and representatives from the industry. Furthermore, a Joint Statement by Belgium, Ireland and the United Kingdom on Electricity Interconnection was signed.
The second day featured discussions among Directors-General on a regional approach to grid development and the allocation of costs and benefits of cross-border projects. In the afternoon, they were invited for a technical visit to one of Belgium’s offshore wind farms.
“This event was an important step to inspire the agenda of the next European Commission with insights from all Member States and their takes on offshore wind,” a spokesperson commented.
The next formal European Energy Council will take place on Thursday 30 May in Brussels, at which Council Conclusions on the topic of electricity networks will be presented for adoption.
