On October 2, 2024, the recently reelected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, met to reaffirm both blocs’ commitment to strengthening strategic ties. The significance of this meeting lies in the fact that it was the first visit to Brussels by a British prime minister since Brexit.

In a context marked by global challenges affecting the entire continent, both leaders agreed that collaboration is key to addressing common issues such as climate change, energy security, and geopolitical tensions.

Both leaders emphasized the importance of advancing joint projects that strengthen energy security, with a particular focus on renewable energy sources.

“The North Sea offers immense potential for offshore wind energy projects, and both the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) must fully leverage it,” they emphasized in the joint statement published on LinkedIn after the meeting, highlighting the unique opportunity this region represents for renewable energy development.

The British region, which is already a leader in this technology, and the EU, with its vast market and industrial capacity, are called to collaborate closely on projects that can ensure a more stable and environmentally friendly energy supply.

The meeting also reaffirmed both parties’ commitment to upholding previous agreements, such as the Withdrawal Agreement and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. “These agreements are fundamental to our relationship, and their full and faithful implementation is our priority,” the document reiterated. It also emphasized the importance of respecting international law and human rights in this collaboration.

“We face shared challenges such as climate change and energy prices, which require ambitious cooperation between the United Kingdom and the European Union,” both diplomats stated. This emphasis underscores the need for both parties to work together to ensure energy security in a time of high volatility in the markets.

Looking to the future

The leaders agreed to move quickly in defining priority areas for this enhanced cooperation, including the economy, security, resilience, and, crucially, energy. This new phase of collaboration between the United Kingdom and the EU will not only address current challenges but also aim to lay the foundations for a long-term relationship.

Both agreed on the importance of holding periodic summits between the EU and the UK at the leader level, to monitor the progress of the relationship. They also agreed that the first of these meetings should take place, preferably, in early 2025.

As stated in the communiqué, “a stable and positive relationship is essential for our mutual interests and for long-term cooperation.”

The Importance of Offshore Wind in the United Kingdom

Europe continues to solidify its position as a global leader in the offshore wind sector, standing out as the second-largest market in the world. The UK’s Energy Security Strategy, launched in 2022, sets an ambitious target of achieving 50 GW of capacity by 2030, with 5 GW coming from advanced floating technologies, according to the Department for Business & Trade of the government.

This plan not only strengthens the country’s commitment to the transition to net-zero emissions but also promotes the creation of up to 90,000 direct and indirect jobs. Additionally, private investment exceeding 100 billion pounds is expected to help meet these climate goals.

El Reino Unido ya cuenta con 13,9 GW de capacidad eólica marina instalada, lo que representa un crecimiento significativo en la última década. En la actualidad, hay una cartera de proyectos que abarca unos 77 GW, distribuidos en diferentes fases: en construcción, aprobados o planificados para futuras subastas de arrendamiento marino.

The United Kingdom already has 13.9 GW of installed offshore wind capacity, representing significant growth over the past decade. Currently, there is a project portfolio totaling around 77 GW, spread across different phases: under construction, approved, or planned for future offshore leasing auctions.

Freeports such as Teesside and Humber are key hubs for the development of clean energy and advanced manufacturing. These infrastructures offer access to technological innovations, investment opportunities, and excellent connectivity with the energy sector’s supply chain.

Similarly, initiatives like Contracts for Difference (CfD), which provide price stability for energy, have been essential in encouraging investment in renewable energy, reducing capital costs, and ensuring the development of projects like the Hornsea Three wind farm, the largest of its kind in the world.

Additionally, the government has implemented a plan of up to 160 million pounds to develop port infrastructure that facilitates the deployment of large-scale components, thus promoting the production and assembly of these systems.

The increasing frequency of annual auctions is also accelerating the country’s decarbonization process, facilitating the development of more wind projects and boosting benefits for the local supply chain.