UK signs up to European pact to strengthen energy security

The UK has signed up to a major clean energy pact to strengthen security.

The Government said the deal with European allies will drive forward an “unprecedented” fleet of joint offshore wind projects between countries.

Three years ago, North Sea countries pledged to build 300 GW of offshore wind in the North Sea by 2050, in response to Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of Europe’s energy supplies. 

Now they have agreed to deliver 100 GW of the target through joint clean energy projects. These will include new ‘offshore wind hybrid assets’ — wind farms at sea that are directly connected to more than one country through interconnectors.

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.

“Industry are expected to respond to the pledge by unveiling ambitious plans for new projects. Interconnectors are crucial to Europe’s energy security, enabling countries in the North Sea to send clean power to where it’s needed most and end Europe’s reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets controlled by petrostates and dictators.”