Energy ministers from the members of the North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC), the Commissioner for Energy and the Energy Minister from the United Kingdom have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU provides a framework for the cooperation of the NSEC and the UK in the development of cost-effective and sustainable offshore renewable energy.
The MoU recognises the important role of offshore renewable energy in reaching our climate and energy targets as well as the need to accelerate the green transition in view of the vast offshore renewable energy potential of the North Seas. The cooperation aims to facilitate the planning and development of specific offshore renewable projects, including offshore grids.
Through this MoU, the EU and UK aim to strengthen their joint action on offshore renewable energy and put in place a framework of cooperation following Brexit. The MoU specifies that the cooperation covers technical and expert dialogue, information exchange and sharing of best practices. The MoU provides a framework that is distinct yet complementary to NSEC’s own work. The Commission and the NSEC member state acting as Co-Presidency will now work on the implementation of this MoU.
Welcoming the signature of the MoU, Commissioner Simson said:
“The Memorandum signed today provides the NSEC members and the UK with a basis to cooperate on offshore energy. Given the significant potential of offshore renewable energy in the North Seas, this cooperation is important to help achieve our joint renewable offshore ambitions. The exchanges will build on the successful work of NSEC to deliver concrete outputs.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD said:
“I welcome today’s milestone agreement, which we have striven to achieve under the Irish NSEC Co-Presidency and which will build upon the momentum from the Ministerial meeting in Dublin. Through this voluntary cooperation we will reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels, and can look forward to delivering secure and affordable energy for European households and businesses.”
At today’s meeting, the Irish energy minister handed over the NSEC Co-Presidency to the Netherlands who will hold the Co-Presidency in 2023.
