European nations including Britain, Germany and Denmark are set to reaffirm their commitment to wind energy by signing a major clean power agreement at a summit in Hamburg. The pact will see participating countries jointly pledge to deliver 100 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity through large-scale cross-border projects.
The agreement brings together Britain, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway, according to the British government. It underscores continued European support for renewable energy, even as political criticism of green power has intensified in other parts of the world.
British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the deal reflects the UK’s national interest, describing clean energy as a way to escape volatile fossil fuel markets. He added that expanding wind power would strengthen energy security while helping deliver long-term affordability and domestic energy independence.
The new pledge builds on an earlier commitment made in 2023, when North Sea countries agreed to work toward a combined 300 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2050. That goal was shaped by heightened concerns over Europe’s reliance on Russian gas following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said closer coordination between countries would allow Europe to plan wind expansion, electricity grids and industrial development more efficiently. By working across borders, she said, European nations can lower costs, strengthen industry and enhance the region’s strategic autonomy.
Britain also plans to sign additional agreements with smaller groups of summit participants aimed at speeding up the development of shared offshore infrastructure. These include wind farms designed to connect directly to the power grids of more than one country, improving efficiency and supply resilience.
The announcement follows a strong start to the year for the UK’s offshore wind sector. In January, Britain awarded contracts for a record 8.4 GW of offshore wind capacity in its latest renewable energy auction, highlighting continued momentum in the sector.
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