The massive investment in offshore wind in the North Sea is realistic to be implemented by 2050. This is according to Brian Vad Mathiesen, professor of energy planning at Aalborg University.
In concrete terms, Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen (S), and the heads of government from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany have agreed on a green plan, in which the four countries must supply Europe with 150 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2050.
- It is realistic when you set your goals so early. When you have a target line that goes all the way towards 2050, there must also be a high level of ambition. The four countries are in the unique position of being close to very large wind resources, says Brian Vad Mathiesen.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will meet in Esbjerg with the heads of government from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Together, they must sign an official declaration that commits the four countries to supply Europe with 150 GW of offshore wind by 2050. Brian Vad Mathiesen believes that setting a long-term goal is the right way. Because the project requires quite a lot of planning and coordination, it says.
- That is why it is the right height for the ambition, he says.
Free from Russian energy
It is about green change and about getting rid of Russian energy. At the same time, the plan will be extremely favorable for Danish business and create lots of jobs, says the assessment from both climate minister Dan Jørgensen (S) and from the interest organization Green Power Denmark.
Brian Vad Mathiesen agrees. He emphasizes, however, that it is probably not this plan that right now and here will make Denmark and Europe independent of Russian energy:
- Building 150 GW of offshore energy is not the kind of solution we need to get rid of Russian gas and oil in the short term. But in the long run it must ensure that we do not become dependent on fossil fuels from other states, which we may not be so interested in being associated with either.
The 150 GW will be a tenfold increase in the existing capacity for offshore wind in the North Sea, and it is enough to supply approximately 230 million European households with green electricity.
Ritzau
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