ClientEarth’s feedback to the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy Roadmap

Offshore renewable energies have an immense potential in Europe: over 250GW of offshore wind capacity are expected to be deployed by 2050. However, offshore renewable energies have not received enough support to become predominant in our energy system. If successfully deployed, offshore renewable energy will play a crucial role in the decarbonisation of the European Union’s energy systems, increasing security of supply, diversifying energy sources, and contributing to the 2030 European Union’s and national climate and energy targets, as well as to the 2050 climate neutrality commitment.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy should aim at integrating renewable offshore generation capacity in the energy system in an efficient way while respecting high standards of environmental protection, public involvement and cooperation among Member States.
To ensure its effectiveness and sustainability, the Offshore Strategy must also be aligned with other strategies and initiatives developed or adopted pursuant to the European Green Deal, and ensure compliance and consistency with numerous rules, including those that govern energy systems, as well as the different EU and international rules affecting the uses of the marine space.