UK & EU step up offshore wind cooperation with Hamburg Declaration

UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has signed the Hamburg Declaration with European partners, committing North Sea countries to jointly deliver 100 GW of offshore wind power through cross-border clean energy projects.

The agreement, signed on January 26, 2026, aims to strengthen energy security for households and businesses across the UK and Europe amid heightened global instability.

The pact brings together countries including Germany, Norway, France and Denmark to accelerate the rollout of joint offshore wind developments, including new offshore wind hybrid assets that connect wind farms directly to more than one country through interconnectors. These projects form part of a wider ambition to build 300 GW of offshore wind capacity in the North Sea by 2050, first pledged after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine exposed Europe’s vulnerability to fossil fuel supply shocks.

“We are standing up for our national interest by driving for clean energy, which can get the UK off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and give us energy sovereignty and abundance. After our record renewables auction, we today went further by signing a clean energy security pact with European allies to ensure we maximise the clean energy potential for the North Sea,” Miliband said in a release.

The summit also advanced plans for a more interconnected offshore electricity grid, with the UK signing a statement of intent with Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands to improve joint planning, cost-sharing and market arrangements.

The UK’s recent offshore wind auction, which secured 8.4 GW of capacity and significant private investment, was cited as a key example of momentum behind the initiative.

Reacting to the deal, British Chambers of Commerce welcomed closer cooperation with European allies on renewables and interconnectors but urged the UK government to also address competitiveness in oil and gas, reform the Energy Profits Levy sooner, and accelerate opportunities in offshore hydrogen and carbon capture to support jobs, investment and lower energy costs.

“It is essential for the UK’s energy security and economic growth that we co-operate more closely with our European allies to realise the full potential of the North Sea. The commitments set out in the Hamburg Declaration will deliver on that, allowing our businesses to work on joint projects on renewables, interconnectors and other vital energy infrastructure. The momentum from today’s Summit and Business Conference needs to be kept up,” said William Bain, head of trade policy at the British Chambers of Commerce.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)