UK and Nine European Nations Sign Hamburg Declaration on Offshore Wind

On 26 January 2026, the UK and nine other European countries signed the Hamburg Declaration, marking a joint commitment to develop offshore wind projects in the North Sea.

The Hamburg Declaration sets out plans for 100 GW of offshore wind capacity to be developed by 2040. This agreement introduces the use of offshore hybrid assets, which are wind farms at sea that connect directly to more than one country using subsea interconnectors.

The signatory countries include the UK, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Norway. These nations have agreed to collaborate on the construction and integration of offshore wind farms that will serve multiple national grids.

According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, this is the first time an agreement has established the development of wind farms connected to several countries through subsea links. The projects will use offshore hybrid assets to facilitate shared energy distribution across borders.

What the numbers show

• The Hamburg Declaration was signed on 26 January 2026
• 100 GW of offshore wind capacity is targeted by 2040
• Ten European countries are participating in the agreement

The joint projects outlined in the declaration are designed to enhance cross-border energy cooperation. Offshore wind farms will be directly linked to multiple countries, allowing for more flexible energy transfer and distribution in the region.

The use of hybrid assets means that wind-generated electricity can be transmitted between participating countries via subsea interconnectors. This approach is intended to support the integration of renewable energy sources into national power systems.

The Hamburg Declaration represents a coordinated effort among the ten signatory nations to expand offshore wind infrastructure. The agreement specifies the development of interconnected wind farms in the North Sea, with a collective goal of reaching 100 GW of capacity within the next 14 years.

By establishing a framework for shared offshore wind assets, the participating countries have outlined a process for joint development and operation of renewable energy projects. The declaration formalizes cooperation on planning, construction, and connection of these wind farms to multiple national grids.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.