UK and Germany Lock in Climate and Clean Energy Pact

The UK and Germany have penned a new partnership agreement to beef up energy security and push forward with renewables. This includes diving into the deep end of offshore wind development, tackling the nitty-gritty of carbon capture and transport, and orchestrating numerous electrification projects using interconnectors.?

It was only recently that ministers from Germany and the UK agreed a separate deal, committing to go all-in on ramping up the use of low-carbon hydrogen. Specifically green hydrogen, born out of renewable sources, to make its way into the energy blends of both nations.

The new energy and climate collab', throws both governments into the ring for a tag team on renewable projects. And it's not just about the domestic game; it's cross-border.

According to Claire Coutihno, the Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, this agreement isn't just your run-of-the-mill pact. It's a leap to "extend and deepen" the special relationship between Germany and the UK. And why? Because it commits the two nations to don their green transition hats, not just in Europe, but on a global stage.

The two countries are also focused on ramping up regional and global energy security, by bolstering infrastructure, and making supply chains sturdier.

The deal pledges to exchange insights and top-tier moves in the decarbonisation of industry, buildings, and heat, with strategy sessions on energy efficiency and crafting "net zero” policies.

The governments claim the partnership is proof of a doubling down effort on the promises from the Paris Agreement. Their mission as we know: to keep the global warming thermostat from cranking up past 1.5°C.

Germany has set its sights on installing 30GW of offshore wind power by 2030, with the UK aiming even higher at 50GW. Developers in both nations are underlining the substantial benefits of exporting and trading power across the North Sea, emphasising how this can fortify the investment appeal for upcoming projects.

However, the UK government has been under scrutiny. It faced criticism for its inability to draw significant bidders for offshore wind projects in the latest state-backed clean energy auction held in September. This came despite industry warnings that the auction conditions lacked attractiveness, considering the inflationary pressures impacting all infrastructure developers.

The buzz around the UK-Germany energy and climate deal coincided with confirmation that the initial phase of constructing a 725km subsea electricity cable between Kent and Wilhelmshaven has been successful.

Named NeuConnect, this cable is set to become the inaugural interconnector between the two nations. Once operational in 2028, it will facilitate the bidirectional flow of 1.4GW of electricity.

Julia Prescot, the chair of NeuConnect, labeled the ￡2.4bn project as the "single largest Anglo-German infrastructure project." She expressed that it would serve as a noteworthy symbolic connection between the two countries.

Undoubtedly, the bilateral collaboration between the UK and Germany underscores significant opportunities for joint efforts in bolstering energy resilience and achieving net-zero goals.

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