Jan 26, 2026
Agreement for clean energy in North Sea wind.
Ed Miliband will sign a new clean energy agreement for the North Sea today with European partners, aiming to produce 100GW of offshore wind through collaborative projects across borders.
The Hamburg Declaration will be formally signed in Hamburg at the Future of the North Seas Summit, involving the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway.
This initiative is intended to establish an "unprecedented fleet" of offshore wind farms that can provide energy to multiple countries simultaneously, with coordinated planning, shared grid connections, and expedited construction.
The agreement falls under the broader North Sea goal initiated in 2023, which aims to achieve 300GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, in an effort to reduce dependence on imported gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The UK will also engage in smaller agreements with various countries to enhance hybrid connections, allowing offshore wind farms to link directly to multiple national grids.
Ministers are promoting this as a measure of energy security, positioning offshore wind as a solution to escape volatile fossil fuel markets and lessen vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions.
Miliband emphasized that the North Sea should become a vital clean energy resource for both the UK and its neighbors, with shared infrastructure viewed as essential for national resilience.
Germany’s Economy Minister Katherina Reiche stated that by collaboratively planning and implementing expansion grids and industry across borders, they are creating clean, affordable energy that strengthens the industrial base and enhances Europe’s strategic independence.
This pact comes shortly after the UK's most recent renewables auction, which secured a record 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity, providing the government with renewed momentum to promote the North Sea as a collective energy source.
The industry is now focused on the next steps for implementation, especially regarding cost-sharing, accelerating grid upgrades, and streamlining permitting processes across borders.
The political implications are evident, as leaders are using the Hamburg summit to indicate Europe’s commitment to wind energy amid increasing global pushback against green policies.
The Hamburg Declaration will be formally signed in Hamburg at the Future of the North Seas Summit, involving the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway.
This initiative is intended to establish an "unprecedented fleet" of offshore wind farms that can provide energy to multiple countries simultaneously, with coordinated planning, shared grid connections, and expedited construction.
The agreement falls under the broader North Sea goal initiated in 2023, which aims to achieve 300GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050, in an effort to reduce dependence on imported gas following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The UK will also engage in smaller agreements with various countries to enhance hybrid connections, allowing offshore wind farms to link directly to multiple national grids.
Ministers are promoting this as a measure of energy security, positioning offshore wind as a solution to escape volatile fossil fuel markets and lessen vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions.
Miliband emphasized that the North Sea should become a vital clean energy resource for both the UK and its neighbors, with shared infrastructure viewed as essential for national resilience.
Germany’s Economy Minister Katherina Reiche stated that by collaboratively planning and implementing expansion grids and industry across borders, they are creating clean, affordable energy that strengthens the industrial base and enhances Europe’s strategic independence.
This pact comes shortly after the UK's most recent renewables auction, which secured a record 8.4GW of offshore wind capacity, providing the government with renewed momentum to promote the North Sea as a collective energy source.
The industry is now focused on the next steps for implementation, especially regarding cost-sharing, accelerating grid upgrades, and streamlining permitting processes across borders.
The political implications are evident, as leaders are using the Hamburg summit to indicate Europe’s commitment to wind energy amid increasing global pushback against green policies.