On October 2, 2024, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to offshore wind energy as a cornerstone for Europe’s energy transition during a meeting involving both powers. With 13.9 GW of installed capacity and 77 GW in projects under development in the UK, cooperation with the European Union is shaping up to be a decisive step toward strengthening energy security in both regions.

However, Tasso Paes Franco Filho, Portugal Account Manager at Sammy Free, highlighted to Energía Estratégica España that this collaboration is not without technical and regulatory challenges that must be addressed to ensure its success.

Tasso Paes Franco Filho, Portugal Account Manager de Sammy Free.

One of the main challenges highlighted by Paes Franco Filho is the high financial cost of building underwater electrical interconnectors between the UK and the EU. “The construction and maintenance of underwater interconnectors are extremely expensive,” he notes, emphasizing that both governments and private companies must commit to multibillion-dollar investments.

In this context, the efficient use of resources, such as sharing existing infrastructure, becomes essential. “Sharing infrastructure, such as submarine cables and interconnectors, reduces costs and enables more efficient integration of energy into power grids,” adds Paes Franco Filho.

Additionally, the geographic and climatic conditions of the North Sea add a layer of technical complexity to these projects. “The distance and conditions of the North Sea pose challenges for the installation of submarine cables,” he explains. Strong winds, waves, and variable sea depths create a difficult environment for the construction and maintenance of interconnectors, potentially delaying their implementation.

Another significant obstacle arises from regulatory differences between the European Union and the United Kingdom, exacerbated by Brexit. “The energy regulations and standards between the EU and the UK may not be fully aligned,” the executive notes. These divergences can complicate both coordination and joint financing of projects, highlighting the need to establish a regulatory framework that facilitates collaboration between the two parties.

Finally, Paes Franco Filho underscores the importance of integrating the power grids on both sides to ensure the success of energy cooperation. In his words, “ensuring that the power grids on both sides are compatible and capable of handling the exchange of large amounts of energy” is one of the most significant technical challenges. Without proper integration, the benefits of this cooperation could be severely limited.

Despite these challenges, energy cooperation in this area promises significant benefits for both parties, not only in terms of efficiency but also in energy security. “It strengthens the region’s energy security by diversifying energy sources and improving resilience to fluctuations in the energy market,” the executive explains.

Collaboration in the North Sea also offers opportunities for technological innovation. “Cooperation facilitates the development of advanced technologies and the optimization of offshore wind farms, increasing their capacity and efficiency,” he highlights. This is particularly relevant at a time when the UK and the EU have committed to ambitious climate goals. “It contributes more effectively to the EU and UK climate targets by accelerating the installation of new renewable infrastructure,” he concludes.

This commitment to offshore wind energy is part of a broader strategy to strengthen energy security and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

The UK, under its Energy Security Strategy, has set a target of reaching 50 GW of capacity by 2030, 5 GW of which will come from advanced floating technologies. This expansion promises to create thousands of jobs and attract up to £100 billion in private investment, cementing the UK’s position as a global leader in offshore wind energy.

Finally, Paes Franco Filho reflects on the potential impact of the UK’s reintegration into forums such as the North Sea Energy Cooperation, from which it has been partially excluded since Brexit. “If the UK were to become a full member again in cooperation forums like the North Sea Energy Cooperation, it would have several positive impacts,” he remarks.

This reintegration would facilitate the coordination and financing of joint projects and enhance collaboration between the EU and the UK on key energy initiatives. In a context of high energy price volatility, this cooperation is increasingly critical to ensuring a stable and sustainable energy supply for Europe’s future.