Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth Zone offshore wind project is facing hurdles due to escalating costs. The country’s new coalition government will have to make some tough choices in order to safeguard the project going forward.
Denmark has launched ambitious plans to scale up CCS projects in order to meet the country’s climate targets but will need to resolve a number of challenges on the way including access to sufficient storage capacity.
The Netherlands is showing progress towards its ambitious offshore wind target of 21 GW installed capacity by around 2030 but more work is needed if the country is to reach its goal of decarbonising the power sector in just over 10 years.
Belgium’s dependence on natural gas is expected to remain strong in the coming years as nuclear power is gradually phased out and the country’s green transition faces challenges.
The Netherlands wants to achieve 21 GW offshore of wind capacity by the end of 2031, a target deemed ambitious yet achievable. All eyes are now on the country’s next offshore wind tender which will take place at the end of February.
BP and TotalEnergies were the only successful bidders in a recent offshore German wind auction after offering billions of euros in ‘top up’ payments to the government. This has raised concerns that oil and gas majors will outbid utilities in forthcoming auctions with end-users ultimately footing the bill.
Loopholes for ‘hydrogen-ready’ systems means the phase-out of gas heaters in Germany could take longer than many had hoped.
Shortly after signing a Green Alliance agreement with the EU, Norway offered more blocks in the Arctic for oil and gas exploration. Environmental campaigners are now hoping the EU will prevent an expansion of drilling areas, particularly in the Barents Sea.
The Dutch government will in June decide whether the Groningen gas field will be closed down for good this October. The field has been subject to plenty of controversy in recent years, and the results of an in-depth inquiry into the earthquakes and related matters were presented last week.
The Nord Stream explosions probably represent the largest single methane leak ever recorded. Will the events act as a wake-up call for policy makers and the public to shore up tougher regulations on methane emissions?