EU leaders convene in Esbjerg to harness the North Sea’s green energy potential

To speed up the buildout of renewable energy in the North Sea, Denmark hosts Heads of States from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen for the North Sea Summit on 18 May.

By Magnus Højberg Mernild | [email protected]

11 May 2022

The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will host the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo at a North Sea Summit on offshore wind in Esbjerg on 18 May.

The North Sea Summit will focus on the central role offshore wind in phasing out fossil fuels in the EU, and how the North Sea can become a green powerhouse for the entire continent. At the summit, the heads of state and the Commission President will adopt a common vision for deploying offshore wind and related infrastructure in the North Sea. The EU’s energy commissioner and ministers for climate and energy from the respective member states will meet in Esbjerg on the same day with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation.

”The EU must become independent from Russian fossil fuels as fast as possible. The best way forward is for the European countries to work together to scale up and speed up the buildout of renewable energy in the North Sea. At the summit, we will present some of the key solutions needed for Europe to make the ambitious transition to renewables, and that is why I am looking very much forward to welcoming my fellow energy ministers in Esbjerg,” says Danish Minister of Climate and Energy, Dan Jørgensen.

In March, the European Commission proposed an outline to how the EU can take joint action to ensure more afforda-ble, secure, and sustainable energy. The Commission is expected to present a full RePowerEU-proposal within the month of May.

Denmark will supply Europe with green North Sea power

The upcoming North Sea Summit follows shortly after the Danish Government announced to boost its green energy capacities ahead of 2030. As part of the new national proposal, Denmark seeks to harvest the full potential of offshore wind in the North Sea to provide green energy for Europe.

A provisional estimate shows an initial demand for at least 35 GW of offshore wind from the Danish parts of the North Sea. In reaping the potential, Denmark aims out to build several energy islands in the years to come.

Port of Esbjerg

The Port of Esbjerg played a key role in the rise of Denmark’s offshore wind industry. Today, the port is Europe’s leading in terms of handling and shipping out wind power. More than 4/5 of the current amount of offshore wind capacity installed in Europe was shipped out from the Port of Esbjerg.

Facts

On May 18, Denmark will host the North Sea Summit in Esbjerg.
Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, will participate in the summit along with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, the prime minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and the prime minister of Belgium, Alexander De Croo.
Additionally, the energy ministers from each country will attend the summit along with the Commissioner for Energy. They will discuss how offshore wind and clean hydrogen can help the European energy transition.
Major business leaders will also participate in a business conference during the summit.