Across the UK and Europe, governments are focusing on reducing exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets while keeping power supplies stable for households and businesses.
The UK Government said Energy Secretary Ed Miliband signed the Hamburg Declaration with European partners at the North Sea Summit to expand joint offshore wind cooperation and strengthen energy security.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has signed the Hamburg Declaration, a clean energy security pact agreed with European partners at the North Sea Summit in Hamburg on 26 January 2026.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the agreement backs joint offshore wind projects in shared North Sea waters, including a new commitment to deliver 100 GW through cross-border cooperation by 2050. Ministers said the pact is intended to support energy security and help stabilise costs for families and businesses.
Introduction
The UK Government said the Hamburg Declaration was agreed at the Future of the North Seas Summit in Hamburg on Monday 26 January 2026. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband signed the pact alongside European partners attending the summit.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the agreement is designed to increase offshore wind cooperation in the North Sea and strengthen shared energy security. The announcement also set out related work on interconnectors and cross-border electricity projects.
Announcement and signing of the Hamburg Declaration
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said Energy Secretary Ed Miliband signed the Hamburg Declaration at the North Sea Summit in Hamburg. The Government described the declaration as a clean energy security pact intended to bolster energy security for households and businesses across the UK and Europe.
The announcement said the pact is focused on accelerating joint offshore wind projects in shared North Sea waters, working with European partners including Germany, Norway, France and Denmark.
Scope of joint offshore wind commitment
The Government said North Sea countries have agreed, for the first time, to deliver 100 GW of offshore wind through joint clean energy projects by 2050. The announcement linked this to a wider North Sea ambition set out three years ago to build 300 GW of offshore wind by 2050.
The Department said the joint approach will include “offshore wind hybrid assets”, described as wind farms at sea connected to more than one country through interconnectors.
- 100 GW joint projects
- Hybrid assets and interconnectors
- Shared North Sea waters
Joint offshore wind commitments
| Agreement | Hamburg Declaration signed at the Future of the North Seas Summit in Hamburg |
| Joint delivery target | 100 GW of offshore wind through cross-border cooperation projects by 2050 |
| Wider North Sea ambition | 300 GW offshore wind target by 2050 previously pledged by North Sea countries |
Infrastructure and grid cooperation plans
The Department said further outcomes linked to the summit include work towards an interconnected offshore grid and cross-border offshore electricity projects. It said the Energy Secretary is signing a statement of intent with Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands covering joint planning, cost-sharing and market arrangements.
The announcement also said the UK has agreed a framework to deepen collaboration with Germany on offshore hybrid assets, described as subsea infrastructure combining offshore wind connections with electricity interconnectors.
- Interconnected offshore grid
- Cross-border planning and cost-sharing
- UK–Germany hybrid asset framework
North Sea infrastructure cooperation
| Statement of intent partners | Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands |
| Focus areas | Joint planning, cost-sharing and market arrangements for cross-border offshore electricity projects |
| Hybrid asset collaboration | Framework to deepen UK–Germany work on offshore wind hybrid assets |
National and regional energy security context
The Government said the declaration reflects a shared approach to clean, secure energy as a route to greater energy sovereignty and stable supplies. The Department said the summit builds on recent UK offshore wind auction results, which it described as record-breaking.
The announcement said the North Sea is being positioned as a major centre for clean power cooperation, with countries working together to send electricity to where it is needed through interconnectors.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Ed Miliband, Energy Secretary 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.”
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.”
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.”
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.”
Enrique Cornejo, Energy Policy Director at 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.”
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.”
Moving Forward
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the Hamburg Declaration sets a joint direction for North Sea offshore wind cooperation and related grid connections. The announcement said partners will pursue cross-border projects, including hybrid assets and interconnectors, to improve how electricity can move across the region.
Ministers said the agreement is intended to support households and businesses by strengthening energy security through expanded clean power cooperation.
Sources: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
