1. WINDFORCE conference in Bremerhaven: Future of wind energy discussed!

<ol> <li>WINDFORCE conference in Bremerhaven: Future of wind energy discussed!</li> </ol>

Wind power has found a stage in Bremerhaven today. From June 16th to 18th, 2025, over 275 experts will gather here for the 24th WINDFORCE conference, which is organized by the wind energy and hydrogen association WAB e.V. Under the motto “Securing the European energy and supply chain: now more than ever!” it's all about the future of offshore wind energy in Europe. Representatives from all over Germany and the Netherlands, the conference's partner country, will demonstrate the importance of this environmentally friendly form of energy.

Among the guests are prominent personalities such as Hester Somsen, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Germany, and the Federal Government's Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism, Dr. Christoph Ploß. This event hits the right zeitgeist, as global energy demand is growing and digital technologies demand sustainable solutions.

Innovations and challenges

An exciting program awaits participants. In addition to six national and international speakers, two excursions to innovative companies in Bremerhaven, Nordenham and Cuxhaven will also be offered. Topics such as the role of European standardization for the offshore wind industry and joint spatial planning in the North Sea are on the agenda. Strategic considerations for strengthening the value chain and the use of hydrogen are also becoming increasingly important.

Jens Assheuer, the CEO of WAB e.V., puts it in a nutshell: Reliable partnerships and long-term political framework conditions are essential for a successful energy transition. In this context, offshore wind energy plays a key role as it constantly supplies CO₂-free electricity and therefore makes a valuable contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.

European strategy in focus

In the context of the conference, the European strategy for renewable offshore energies also comes into play. The EU plans to increase installed capacity for offshore wind to at least 60 gigawatts by 2030 and to 300 gigawatts by 2050. These plans were last revised in December 2024. The whole thing is accompanied by an extensive program for maritime spatial planning and to improve the regulatory framework, as energy.ec.europa.eu reports.

In addition, investments of almost 800 billion euros will be necessary by 2050 to achieve these ambitious goals. The Commission has set clear guidelines for cooperation between EU countries to promote progress in offshore renewable energy. Work is also being done on less mature technologies such as wave and tidal power plants in order to fully exploit the potential of Europe's sea basins.

Hester Somsen emphasizes the urgency of cooperation between Germany and the Netherlands to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The challenges are great, but the will to find innovative solutions is strong. As germany.representation.ec.europa.eu notes, through intensive cooperation and targeted investments, we can take a leading position in the global energy transition.

This year's WINDFORCE conference is more than just a meeting of experts. It is an important step towards a more sustainable energy future that is both economically and ecologically important. Together we are setting the course for the energy supply of tomorrow!