Dr Simon Vanhove

Countries bordering the North Sea recently committed to a substantial uptake of offshore energy production in this area (65 GW by 2030, 150 GW by 2050). Besides wind turbines, this will require construction of transmission infrastructure and interconnectors. To accommodate this infrastructure, Belgium recently launched the permitting procedure for an ‘energy island’, to be constructed close to a Natura 2000 area. In this research seminar, Simon Vanhove will discuss the legal procedures protecting the marine environment in the North Sea, and will highlight possible friction with renewable energy developments.