“The European offshore wind industry is gearing up to deliver,” WindEurope announced on April 23. This statement followed a meeting in Madrid, where energy ministers from North Sea countries, industry leaders, transmission system operators (TSOs), and NATO discussed implementing the Hamburg Declaration, signed in January. WindEurope also released a policy paper on the physical security of offshore wind infrastructure.
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During the North Sea Summit in Hamburg in January, energy ministers from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK confirmed their ambition to develop 300 GW of offshore wind in the North Seas by 2050. They also plan for up to 100 GW of cross-border offshore wind capacity by then.
The nine countries pledged to contribute to 15 GW of offshore wind annually from 2031 to 2040, with at least 10 GW to be supported by two-sided Contracts for Difference (CfDs) and the remainder through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
Governments, Industry Talk Next Steps: Implementing Hamburg Declaration
As part of commitments from Hamburg, state governments, the offshore wind sector, and TSOs signed an investment pact in January, aiming to mobilize EUR 1 trillion in economic activity.
At the WindEurope Annual Event 2026 in Madrid, stakeholders convened to advance offshore wind projects at a crucial time. Europe’s offshore wind deployment has been hampered by poor auction designs, rising capital costs, and an uncertain project pipeline. As a result, only 70 GW of the targeted 120 GW of offshore wind capacity will be achieved by 2030, according to WindEurope.
“The war in Iran reminded Europe of its need to replace imported fossil fuels with secure, homegrown electricity. Offshore wind provides the energy Europe requires; it is scalable and cost-effective,” WindEurope stated.
The Madrid meeting aimed to implement the Hamburg Declaration to enhance Europe’s energy security and competitiveness, delivering lasting benefits for consumers and communities.
“At the North Sea Summit in January, leaders committed to accelerating offshore wind expansion. Europe must urgently make this a reality. Offshore wind reduces electricity costs for households and businesses and shields Europe from geopolitical and fuel price fluctuations,” said Tinne van der Straeten, WindEurope CEO.
WindEurope Presents Policy Paper to Secure Offshore Wind Infrastructure
The organization released a policy paper on securing offshore wind and subsea infrastructure, highlighting vulnerabilities to sabotage, interference, and hybrid threats.
This paper follows the January Hamburg commitments, where North Sea governments agreed to prioritize securing offshore infrastructure. Recent incidents, such as a Russian vessel near UK offshore wind farms, underscore the risks.
“Export cables, substations, and offshore wind assets, spread over vast maritime areas, are inherently challenging to protect. Disruptions would impact not just individual projects but also grids, industries, and households,” WindEurope warned.
WindEurope advocates for early integration of security measures in project design and implementation through stable regulatory frameworks, not auction mechanisms. It emphasizes that wind farms should remain civilian assets, with developers overseeing asset-level protection while states handle defense and enforcement. Any shift in this responsibility balance could affect project bankability.
The organization stresses the importance of risk-based measures, early planning, and coordination with public authorities for effective protection, underscoring wind energy’s role as critical infrastructure for energy security.
“The wind industry is committed to protecting offshore wind farms. The new policy paper underscores the need to address wind turbine security as a key component of energy security. Security measures should be risk-based, proportionate, and involve clear cost allocation between government and industry,” stated Tinne van der Straeten.
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