Posted on April 26, 2023
Last year, four countries decided to convert fossil fuels to renewable energy produced on the North Sea. Now, in 2023, five more countries are joining them. After a first edition in Esbjerg in Denmark last year, Belgium organised the second gathering of countries around the North Sea related to renewable energy.
Besides the political part, there was also the opportunity for industrialists to interact with each other and with the heads of government of the nine countries to make clear agreements and exchange ideas with each other. Jan De Nul Group and six partners supported the event by word and deed.
“As we face geopolitical instability, the offshore energy sector needs a long-term stable investment environment. We are pioneers and world leaders in our sector, but the European supply chain (wind farm components, installation vessels, etc.) needs to be strengthened so that we have a guaranteed supply of parts at competitive prices. It is also essential to have a sound compensation mechanism for offshore wind farms that protects both consumers and the supply chain.” – Julie De Nul, CEO of Jan De Nul Group
The North Sea as a renewable energy hub for Europe
This year, France, Ireland, the UK, Norway, and Luxembourg join the original group of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. This coalition of countries aims to accelerate the process of green energy transition through better cooperation and innovation and also maintain Europe’s leading position in offshore industry.
In Ostend, heads of government, energy ministers, and the president of the European Commission met to reach important agreements.
Europe’s offshore value chain entered into debate with politicians
Jan De Nul Group, together with six partners, supported the North Sea Summit 2023 in Ostend and hosted a total of 100 top European companies from the entire offshore energy value chain. Investors and developers, manufacturers, contractors, providers, and grid-operators debated with each other and with politicians to discuss the future of offshore energy in the North Sea.
The discussions highlighted competitiveness with the global market for supply and production, the need for enhanced European cooperation, investments and innovations in energy infrastructures and, above all, requirements for the accelerated development of offshore energy.
