Norway and Germany released joint statements on their intent to strengthen their collaboration on several areas related to renewable energy and green industry. Offshore wind power was one of the technologies specified in the statement, along with hydrogen, CO2 capture and storage (CCS), green shipping and batteries.
“These are areas where Norway can make significant contributions to the green transition underway in Germany and in Europe, and importantly, where we can develop jobs and economic opportunities for future generations,” said German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck during a speech he made in Oslo at the announcement, on 5 January.
This agreement was the culmination of a year’s worth of dialogue between the two countries after Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz initially announced their intention in January 2022.
NorthWind centre director John Olav Tande welcomes the announcement. “This kind of collaboration across borders is essential if we are to reach Norway and Europe’s climate targets. We already have excellent connections with research and industry partners in Germany, and hope to see this initiative resulting in more collaborative research projects. It could be a stepping stone towards a European Centre of Excellence on offshore wind”, he says.
