MEPs set out recommendations on rapid deployment of offshore wind

Article summary

MEPs have endorsed a report, ‘A European strategy for offshore renewable energy’, during the 16 February 2022 European Parliament Plenary session held in Strasbourg. The report calls for the European Commission to make offshore renewable energy (ORE) a core component of how the EU will reach its net-zero greenhouse gas target by 2050. The report calls on the Commission’s own communication from 19 November 2020, which states that the energy production targets are at least 60 GW by 2030 and 340 GW by 2050. The Parliamentary report also urges greater investment in infrastructure, Member State collaboration, research and development. Furthermore, the Parliament has called for the streamlining of the issuing of permits for ORE development, and asks the Commission to revise the regulatory framework to have a better functioning electricity market that is compatible with increased ORE supply. Currently, fossil fuels contribute to 70% of the gross available energy in the EU. The EU has...