Posted on October 3, 2025
Not long ago, the momentum behind offshore wind felt unstoppable. Maritime contractors struggled to keep pace, and installation vessels were fully booked before they even hit the water. Today, in the United States and elsewhere, projects are being postponed or even cancelled. The reasons? Geopolitical tensions, economic headwinds, and shifting policy priorities.
So, does offshore renewable energy still have a role to play in a world increasingly focused on defense and security? And what does this mean for our place in the market? Philippe Hutse, our Director Offshore Energy, puts things into perspective.
Defense and national security now dominate the agenda, and that is where much of the investment is going. We are seeing more planned offshore energy projects being cancelled. What’s driving this trend the most, in your view?
“Over the past few years, offshore wind was a hot topic. It was seen as a key part of the answer to the climate challenge, and investments followed. But today, political and societal attention has partly shifted. Defense and national security now dominate the agenda, and that is where much of the investment is going. On top of that, the economic climate is adding pressure: rising interest rates, inflation, and increasingly complex permitting processes—for example, around grid connections. As a result, we are noticing that the momentum behind large-scale offshore projects has eased, at least for now.”
What we need most is a renewed push from governments to bring renewables back to the top of the agenda.
Is offshore wind becoming a thing of the past?
“Quite the opposite. The sector has not stopped moving—what is missing is the exponential growth that national governments and the EU once envisioned. Honestly, we never fully believed in those sky-high projections. For years, we have been advocating for realistic targets and a steady pace, with enough time and resources to actually deliver. The real challenge now is making sure development does not fall below a critical threshold as attention shifts elsewhere. Offshore wind remains a key pillar of the energy system. What we need most is a renewed push from governments to bring it back to the top of the agenda.”
It may sound unusual, but you could say that defense, climate, and offshore wind actually go hand in hand.
And what would such a push look like?
“A concrete example? Out of the budgets countries dedicate to defense, a portion could be directed toward protecting energy infrastructure, such as subsea cables. Offshore wind development and growth should also be recognized as part of national and European sovereignty. Imagine if Europe committed to adding 10 GW of new offshore wind capacity every year. That would not only bring stability to the sector, but also strengthen energy independence and provide a tangible step toward climate goals. It may sound unusual, but you could say that defense, climate, and offshore wind actually go hand in hand.”
What impact does this shift have on companies like ours?
“With the growing pressure on offshore wind projects, clients are looking for partners who can use their expertise to optimise multiple aspects of a project—from design through to installation. They expect not just quality, but also flexibility, proactive thinking, and a willingness to take on certain risks. And, of course, all of that at acceptable prices.”
We are seeing a renewed interest in more integrated approaches, where we combine several packages.
Does that also change the nature of contracts?
“Yes. A few years ago, EPCI contracts—short for Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation—were the most common in the industry. These agreements covered the full construction of a wind farm. But because this model placed most of the risks on the contractor, and many projects ended up in legal disputes, clients gradually moved away from it. Instead, they often split projects into T&I packages—Transport and Installation—handled by different parties, while keeping overall project management in their own hands. Today, however, we are seeing a renewed interest in more integrated approaches, where we combine several packages. That said, liability arrangements are now more carefully tailored. It is an evolution we follow closely—and continuously adapt to.”
We can manage the entire construction process of a wind farm: preparing the seabed, installing foundations and turbines, and protecting that infrastructure.
Why do clients continue to choose us as their preferred partner in this changing landscape?
“Our strength lies in our versatility. We combine decades of dredging experience with offshore installation expertise. That allows us to manage the entire construction process of a wind farm: preparing the seabed, installing foundations and turbines, and protecting that infrastructure. We apply the same integrated approach to our cable works. We install both the inter-array cables that connect turbines to each other, and the export cables that link wind farms to the mainland or connect countries. And we make sure those cables are well protected—by covering them with rock material, burying them with trenchers, or laying them in trenches excavated by our dredging vessels. The latter even allows us to dig deeper and through harder soils. This versatility makes us a strong player in today’s energy landscape.”
Global energy demand continues to rise, and the call for energy independence is louder than ever.
But we remain optimistic about offshore energy?
“Absolutely. The exponential growth some institutions predicted has not materialised, and certain projects—like in the United States—have been put on hold. But global energy demand continues to rise, and the call for energy independence is louder than ever. Renewable energy, and offshore wind in particular, will remain a cornerstone of the world’s energy future.”
