The Baltic Sea as the frontline for European Energy Security

CONNECT. INSPIRE. SHARE. THINK DENMARK

The Baltic Sea as the frontline for European Energy Security Harnessing the Baltic Sea’s offshore energy potential

The European Union’s resolute response to Putin’s aggression against Ukraine has demonstrated the strength and unity of the EU. It has also revealed the need to reinforce our energy security and supply. Offshore wind in the Baltic Sea has enormous promise to boost Europe’s clean, renewable and home-grown energy production.

By acting as a Union, Europe can phase out its dependence on Russian fossil fuels faster and more cost-efficiently. To that end, the REPowerEU Plan charts a way for transforming the EU’s energy system. It will tackle the climate crisis and reinforce energy security, together. And we as Europeans, need to work together to make it happen.

The Baltic Sea plays a major role in the EU’s security and climate objectives. The region will significantly contribute to reaching the EU target of 300 GW wind power by 2050. Moreover, investments in offshore wind can be a catalyst for further integration in the European power grid and energy systems, strengthening our common resilience.

The Baltic Energy Security Summit demonstrates the political commitment to freeing the EU and its Member States from Russian fossil fuels and blackmail.

Adopting a regional and European approach can provide sustainable, affordable and stable energy supply – for the benefit of the Union, the climate and our common security and prosperity.

Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission

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Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine undermines international security and stability and has massively disrupted the European and global energy systems.

This calls for a strong response and enhanced cooperation among allies. In the short run, we must put all necessary instruments to use to leave our dependency on Russian energy behind us. But we must also make the necessary long-term planning for our energy transition – and do so together as soon as possible.

Today, Member States around the Baltic Sea together with the European Commission express our dedicated commitment to phasing out Russian energy through strengthened regional cooperation and by accelerating the green transition in the Baltic Sea region. It is a great honour for me to host The Baltic Sea Energy Security Summit. It is an important step to strengthening our energy security and fighting climate change.

Denmark has made considerable investments in wind power, and we will continue to do so by increasing our offshore wind capacity fivefold by 2030. We have extensive experience with increasing energy efficiency, we have built an extensive district heating system that is a frontrunner for sector coupling, and we have made significant progress on regional cooperation on electricity infrastructure and supply. We have achieved this without compromising security of supply.

We have the technologies and we have the green transition know-how we need to phase out Russian energy and fight climate change. With strong political engagement and a dedicated private sector, we can lead the way. But our task is massive, and we cannot do it alone. We must share our experiences and rely on each other more if we are to ensure our energy security.

We are committed to develop new solutions and scale up existing ones, and I am confident that by working together with our close friends and allies and through public-private partnerships we can realize our joint vision of a greener and more energy secure Baltic Sea Region.

Mette Frederiksen Prime Minister of Denmark

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The Baltic Sea as the frontline for European Energy Security The Baltic Sea holds a substantial, but largely untapped potential for offshore wind power. Utilising this potential is essential to phase out Russian energy. Ramping up green electrification, sector integration, production of green h ­ ydrogen and decarbonisation of gas networks are key catalysts.

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Baltic Sea has emerged as an essential capability in the path towards strengthening European energy security and achieving energy independence from Russia.

Renewable energy, and in particular offshore wind, will play a key role in ­phasing out Russian energy and meeting the EU’s climate targets. This should be combined with a strengthening of the electric grid infrastructure and ­further integration between the countries on the Baltic Sea and the wider European energy system.

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FINLAND

SWEDEN ESTONIA

LATVIA DENMARK

LITHUANIA

GERMANY

POLAND

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Harnessing the Baltic Sea’s untapped energy potential In line with the REPowerEU Plan to transform the EU’s energy system and end dependence on Russian fossil fuels, EU Member States surrounding the Baltic Sea have shown great determination and cooperation. Boasting the energy ­potential at sea, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden are well positioned to develop the Baltic Sea as a renewable power hub for the promotion of a secure, sustainable, and energy resilient Europe.

With excellent wind conditions and shallow waters, the Baltic Sea Area has ­substantial potential for offshore wind, reaching up to 93 GW according to a ­report published by the European Commission.* In tandem with decarbonisation of gas-networks, large-scale production of green hydrogen and combined heat and power plants, urgent buildout across the Baltic Sea can accelerate the phase-out of Russian energy and replace fossil fuels.

Reaping the potential requires regional cooperation at the highest level By working together on cross-border energy projects and technological integration, the EU Member States across the Baltic Sea take action on offshore wind development and synchronisation of power grids in the region.

To deliver on this, strong cooperation between TSOs is crucial to ensure coordinated grid planning. Furthermore, the activation of market-based actors and private competence is vital in order to overcome barriers and secure a swift, cost-effective and commercially viable integration of offshore wind energy.

Concerted initiatives to strengthen cooperation at the political level has played a significant role in this regard. For instance, The Baltic Energy Market Interconnection Plan (BEMIP) has set out to achieve an open and integrated energy market between EU Member States in the Baltic Sea region. Similarly, other regional fora, such as the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Nordic Council, and the North Seas Energy Cooperation, are ensuring efficient, collective and immediate action.

Thus, strengthening regional cooperation and confirming political commitment to free the EU from dependence on Russian fossil fuels, the Baltic Sea will be a crucial green vessel towards an energy-resilient and climate-neutral Europe.

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Key catalysts OFFSHORE WIND

GREEN HYDROGEN

As a cost-effective and rapidly maturing energy technology, offshore wind plays a crucial role in future energy systems. ­Europe aims to twelvefold its current offshore wind capacity of 25 GW by 2050.

Converting renewables into green hydrogen is key to decarbonising hardto-abate sectors such as shipping and aviation. With Europe boosting its ambitions, hydrogen as an energy carrier is an important part of the overall EU strategy for energy system integration.

SYNCHRONISATION OF POWER GRIDS

COOPERATION BETWEEN TSOs

Synchronising the Baltic States' electri­ city grids with the European network can s ­ ecure affordable and sustainable ­energy for the eastern Baltic Sea region.

PUBLIC-PRIVATE COLLABORATION Decades of political support and a ­dedicated private sector have fostered extensive expertise in green transition in Northern Europe. Offering some of the world’s best solutions for sector integration, energy efficiency and green energy production, public-private collaboration can deliver the needed scale for an interconnected Baltic Sea Region.

To achieve the ambition of a climate-­ neutral and energy-resilient Europe, cooperation between transmission system operators (TSOs) is essential for the development of the future energy system.

COMBINED HEAT AND POWER PLANTS By recovering and using heat from on-site electricity production, combined heat and power plants can deliver resilient power 24/7 in the event of grid outages.

300 GW

93 GW

The EU has an objective of 60 GW offshore wind capacity by 2030, and 300 GW by 2050 in order to reach climate neutrality

The Baltic Sea has an offshore wind potential of 93 GW by 2050*

* According to the Study on Baltic Offshore Wind Energy Cooperation under BEMIP, Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2019

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