A portion of defence spending should be dedicated to making offshore wind infrastructure fit for emerging security threats, according to a new report from E3G. The independent climate think tank is urging governments to respond to the security challenges in the region, as it seeks to build energy resilience through expanded offshore wind infrastructure, at the upcoming 2026 North Sea Summit (26 January.)
The 2025 NATO Summit saw allies agree that up to 1.5% of GDP may be allocated for broader security-related spending. E3G urges leaders of North Seas nations to agree at the Summit to dedicate part of this to finance a security-by-design approach for expanding energy infrastructure in the North Seas.
Produced in collaboration with EnBW Generation UK, the report, Empowering Europe: Delivering the security and economic benefits of clean energy in the North Seas, provides policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the national security of the North Seas nations and the resilience of Europe’s offshore wind industry. (See link).
Resilience and regional security
North Seas wind infrastructure can enhance Europe’s security and industrial position if it is incorporated into the continent’s broader security approach and industrial strategy. For instance, deploying new ‘dual-use’ infrastructure and upgrading existing wind assets with security equipment can strengthen surveillance and protection capabilities. The construction of this dual-use infrastructure could be funded using domestic defence and security spending in line with NATO funding commitments.
Europe’s Offshore Wind Industry – and the UK’s opportunity
Europe is a global leader in wind energy manufacturing, related engineering services and innovation. To get to scale in an increasingly competitive global market, steady demand in the North Seas and a strategic ‘Made with Europe’ approach that scales EU and UK industries is now critical. This can boost regional supply chains for critical wind-energy components, such as permanent magnets or those related to cyber-security, to enhance the resilience of supply chains.
This requires North Seas countries to better integrate their energy and security agendas and coordinate on security requirements and capabilities to address new security threats. Regional cooperation should also jointly identify essential supply chain elements for in-region manufacturing, alongside promoting better-coordinated schedules of offshore wind tender rollouts. Previously, the UK has been excluded from the North Sea Energy Cooperation (NSEC) tendering tool, meaning other countries with high demand for offshore wind components have little visibility of UK demand. Coordinating tender schedules between NSEC countries and the UK will ensure the predictability needed for vital investment.
About the North Sea Summit
Germany will host the 3rd North Sea Summit in Hamburg on January 26, 2026, bringing together heads of state and government, and energy ministers from ten North Seas countries, the European Commission, NATO, and over 100 industry representatives. Discussions will focus on building out efficient and interconnected energy infrastructure, with expected outcomes including intergovernmental summit declarations, agreements on cooperation projects, and commitments with industry.
Nick Mabey, CEO, E3G, said, “Offshore wind, when built for defence and properly funded, can strengthen national security. The sector needs to carry out meticulous planning for physical and cyber resilience, alongside efforts to secure critical supply chains and foster deeper regional cooperation. At this year’s North Sea Summit, Governments must make real progress on delivery and on mapping out how countries can address these increasingly urgent issues.”
