Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Belgian and German energy ministers signed a pact to explore a hybrid interconnection linking offshore wind farms. This aims to create a vast renewable energy network in the North Sea, aligning with ambitious targets for offshore wind capacity. Transmission system operators will study the feasibility and report findings by June 2025.
Belgian Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten and German State Secretary Philipp Zimmermann have inscribed a declaration of intent to explore the development of a hybrid interconnection between the offshore wind farms of both countries. The press office of Belgian Minister of Energy Tinne Van der Straeten announced that a declaration of purpose for the initiative has been signed with German State Secretary Philipp Zimmermann.
How Will the Hybrid Interconnection Benefit Offshore Wind?
This initiative seeks to harness and connect the enormous renewable energy prospect in their waters while contributing to an incorporated offshore wind network across the entire North Sea basin. The new interconnector would count to the ALEGrO interconnection, the first direct electrical connection between the two nations, which has been operational since 2020, and for which a follow-up project is underway.
Under the program, transmission system operators (TSOs) in Germany and Belgium will examine opportunities for creating the potential network and, if necessary, will concern counterparties from other countries. They will be anticipated to present their findings in a final report to the ministers during the next North Sea Summit in June 2025.
What Are Belgium and Germany’s Offshore Wind Goals?
The two nations have set clear and ambitious targets for offshore wind energy. Belgium strives for a capacity of 6GW by 2030 and 8GW by 2040, while Germany expects at least 30GW by 2030 and 70GW by 2045. By joining forces, Belgium and Germany can not only promote innovation and progress in renewable energy but also maintain the costs of the energy transition as low as possible and maintain robust and secure industrial value chains.
To make the most of the renewables possibility of the North Sea, ministers have agreed to explore the realization of a hybrid interconnection that combines offshore wind production capacity in a broader integrated network.
They have demanded the Belgian and German grid operators to investigate the possibilities for this project, involving, if necessary, other nations and grid operators in the evaluation of the project. The administrations concerned and the Belgian and German TSOs will regularly examine progress to submit a final report to the ministers during the next North Sea Summit.
