The UK and European partners have signed a landmark clean energy agreement aimed at transforming the North Sea into one of the world’s largest sources of renewable power, strengthening

energy security across the continent amid growing global instability.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband signed the ‘Hamburg Declaration’ on Monday (26 January) at the North Sea Summit in Hamburg, committing the UK and its European allies to unprecedented cooperation on offshore wind and cross-border energy infrastructure.

The pact brings together the UK, Germany, Norway, France, Denmark and other North Sea nations in a joint effort to reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets while accelerating the shift to clean, home-grown energy.

A united response to energy insecurity

Against a backdrop of geopolitical tension and fluctuating gas prices, the agreement signals a renewed determination by the UK and EU to pursue energy sovereignty through renewables. Officials say clean power offers the only long-term escape from what Miliband has described as the “fossil fuel rollercoaster”.

At the heart of the deal is a commitment to deliver 100 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power through joint projects — a first for the region. This represents a significant step towards the wider goal, set in 2022, of building 300 GW of offshore wind capacity in the North Sea by 2050, a pledge made in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its impact on Europe’s energy supplies.

Offshore wind built together

The new projects will include innovative offshore wind hybrid assets — wind farms that are directly connected to more than one country through subsea interconnectors. These systems allow clean electricity to flow where it is needed most, improving resilience and reducing waste.

The partnership is expected to unlock major investment opportunities for UK and European companies, with offshore wind projects built jointly across borders. Together, the planned capacity could power millions of homes and businesses across the continent.

The agreement follows a record-breaking UK offshore wind auction earlier this month, which secured 8.4 GW of new capacity — the largest auction of its kind in European history. The auction is expected to create around 7,000 jobs and attract £22 billion in private investment into UK ports and manufacturing.

Turning the North Sea into a clean energy hub

During the summit, Miliband met leaders from Germany, France, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Iceland to advance plans to turn the North Sea into a vast “clean energy reservoir”.

Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:  “We are standing up for our national interest by driving for clean energy, which can get the UK off the fossil fuel rollercoaster and give us energy sovereignty and abundance. 

After our record renewables auction, we today went further by signing a clean energy security pact with European allies to ensure we maximise the clean energy potential for the North Sea”.

Key outcomes from the summit

In addition to the Hamburg Declaration, several further agreements were announced:

- Interconnected offshore grid: The UK signed a statement of intent with Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands to fast-track cross-border offshore electricity projects, focusing on joint planning, cost-sharing and streamlined market rules.

- Offshore hybrid assets collaboration: The UK and Germany agreed a framework to deepen cooperation on hybrid offshore infrastructure, positioning UK firms at the forefront of advanced grid technology and opening up new export opportunities.

Industry leaders are now expected to respond to the political commitment by unveiling ambitious new offshore wind and interconnector projects in the months ahead.

As Europe looks to end its dependence on imported fossil fuels, the Hamburg Declaration marks a decisive shift towards cooperation, resilience and a shared clean energy future powered by the North Sea.

Ben Wilson, President of National Grid Ventures, said: 

“Today is a step towards a more integrated energy system in the North Seas. LionLink and projects like those being announced today are important for maximising the efficient use of resources, reducing costs, and minimising the impact on coastal communities. Collaboration on projects like these are key to delivering on more secure, affordable energy for British and European consumers”.

Dhara Vyas, Chief Executive of Energy UK, said: 

“The UK’s energy sector is fully behind the landmark efforts to be announced at the Hamburg North Sea Summit to transform the North Sea into a truly regional clean power hub. Delivering the goal of 100 GW of offshore cooperation projects by 2050 will require a relentless focus on maintaining the momentum of UK-EU alignment on electricity market coupling and ETS linkage.  

This deeper cooperation on supply chains, standardisation, and shared infrastructure is not just a strategic necessity, it is the most effective way to bring down energy costs for households and businesses while fuelling sustainable economic growth and high-value jobs for years to come”.

Jane Cooper, Deputy Chief Executive of RenewableUK, said:  

“This ambitious announcement to build a vast number of new offshore wind farms jointly with our European partners will increase the energy security of the UK and the whole of the North Sea region significantly. This historic declaration puts offshore wind right at the heart of Europe’s power system, with the UK leading the way.  

We are strengthening our security collaboration to ensure the North Sea’s critical energy infrastructure is protected from harm, so that we can continue to generate the huge quantities of clean power needed by the UK and our neighbours reliably at all times”.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said:   

“It is essential for the UK’s energy security and economic growth that we co-operate more closely with our European allies to realise the full potential of the North Sea.  

The commitments set out in the Hamburg Declaration will deliver on that, allowing our businesses to work on joint projects on renewables, interconnectors and other vital energy infrastructure. The momentum from today’s Summit and Business Conference needs to be kept up”.

Enrique Cornejo, Energy Policy Director, Offshore Energies UK, said: 

“In an increasingly volatile world, this deal sets ambitious targets for UK and European offshore wind collaboration. 100 GW from such joint projects would become a major part of our shared North Sea energy mix, which will include oil, gas and also hydrogen for decades to come. Affordable and secure energy is key to the UK’s future and to those of our European partners. The future of the North Sea is in our hands”.

Gus Jaspert, Managing Director, Marine at The Crown Estate, said:  

“The UK’s offshore wind sector is a national success story and an engine of economic growth. It attracts billions in investment, supports tens of thousands of jobs across the country and each new turbine built boosts our energy security.  

As such we welcome opportunities for the UK to utilise its world-leading experience in offshore wind and work closely with international partners in the North Sea to collectively drive clean energy generation and enable greater energy security at a time of geopolitical uncertainty”. Photo by Kaly99, Wikimedia commons.