RenewableUK, the UK’s leading renewable energy trade association, has welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by ten European ministers from countries bordering the North Sea. The Memorandum covers an agreement to develop an offshore electricity grid enabling interconnection between continental, offshore and British energy resources.

Dr Gordon Edge, RenewableUK’s Director of policy commented: “Large scale interconnection with our European neighbours is vital if we are to connect up our massive offshore wind potential and integrate it into European Markets. Today’s agreement is a vital first step forward in agreeing the rules of the game without which investment cannot happen.”

The ministers from 9 EU member states and Norway have agreed to start working on regulatory and technical issues, as evidence points to the fact that sourcing electricity from a wider European geographical pool of generators can both increase use of renewable electricity and drive down cost to the consumer.

“We are delighted that the UK government is signatory to this Memorandum and we would urge them to stick to the timetable of delivery,” concluded Dr Gordon Edge.