Germany and the Netherlands study cross-border offshore wind projects

The German and Dutch energy markets and infrastructure are already strongly integrated and both countries acknowledge that national energy policy decisions need to take due account of effects on neighbouring countries.

Germany and the Netherlands said they also acknowledge the importance of closer regional co-operation on issues with high cross-border relevance within the framework of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans.

In a statement, the governments of the countries said they see, “Great potential in developing offshore wind projects and infrastructure in the North Seas region to accelerate renewable energy deployment.

“Within the context of the North Seas Energy Cooperation, several exemplary cross-border offshore wind projects have been identified where a more detailed assessment and greater co-operation could be beneficial.”

They said they would continue to look at these projects and intend to jointly assess how these projects and others like them could contribute to further market integration and future sector coupling.

Germany and the Netherlands said they would also support the work of the European Commission in assessing the need to update the EU regulatory framework to eliminate investment barriers and to facilitate the development of interconnected cross-border offshore wind generation projects. This work can be facilitated within one of the North Seas Energy Cooperation support groups, they said.