Securing
the energy supply
of today and tomorrow
Our entire society — especially the economy, not to mention our personal comfort — depends heavily on a stable energy supply. To secure this energy supply, the Benelux Union is committed to creating a European internal energy market, in which the promotion of renewable energy sources plays a central role.
In this time of energy crisis, it is very important that our countries help each other as much as possible and facilitate the transition toward a sustainable, more resilient and reliable energy system. These efforts should be based on the development of renewable energy sources, and the end result must be total security of supply. The Benelux offers the necessary synergies and acts as a platform for cooperation between partners.
Benelux: the home of regional energy cooperation
Axis of regional energy solidarity
Organisations such as the Pentalateral Energy Forum established in 2005, of which the Benelux holds the secretariat, serve as important tools to strengthen regional cooperation in the field of energy supply. The forum is a political partnership between authorities, regulators, network operators and market actors, and its members include Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The question of how energy supplies can be secured in the future is one of the core issues addressed by the forum. The energy ministers in question meet regularly to develop initiatives to help finalise the European internal energy market.
North Sea cooperation
In recent years, the North Sea has become a major player in offshore wind energy. Dozens of wind farms now line the North Sea coast, from Normandy to Norway, providing us a very important source of green energy. Even so, for a long time, adequate infrastructure to transport and distribute this offshore electricity was lacking. The North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) aims to address this issue by improving cooperation between nine countries bordering the North Sea. The Benelux supports the day-to-day operations of the NSEC.
Sharing knowledge: the Benelux Energy Expertise Network
The Benelux possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in energy and the energy transition. This is reflected in the Benelux Energy Expertise Network, a multidisciplinary knowledge network set up to understand and promote structures, capabilities and cooperation. The Network is contributing to the development of a common policy aimed at strengthening the position of scientific institutions in the Benelux and beyond. Recently, the Network has focused on solar energy, and soon, it will turn its sights to the fundamental issue of energy storage (batteries, hydrogen etc.).
Benelux-Hydrogen partnership
Hydrogen is emerging as the ultimate environmentally friendly energy source of the future. The Benelux is also facilitating cooperation in this area, including through certification of green hydrogen, the roll-out of hydrogen filling stations, and by exploring the potential of hydrogen-powered inland navigation. A co-financed study has been set up to facilitate the introduction of hydrogen as a backbone in the Benelux and its neighbouring regions. The aim is to analyse the demand and requirements for import, transport, storage and distribution infrastructure up to 2050.
We are also active in other innovative areas
Explore the different areas that are central to our efforts to deliver a better future for future generations.
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