Denmark will host EU wind energy talks to speed up green transition

Copenhagen (dpa) - Denmark will host a summit later this month on the potential of North Sea wind energy to help the European Union phase out its reliance on planet-warming fossil fuels.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen will welcome European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, among others, to the port city of Esbjerg on May 18.

Also attending are the prime ministers of the Netherlands and Belgium, Mark Rutte and Alexander De Croo, the Danish government said.

The meeting is expected to focus on the central role offshore wind is expected to play in the EU's plans to significantly cut back on carbon emissions in the coming years.

In announcing the talks, the Danish prime minister also pointed to the need for the EU to become independent of Russian energy sources.

Denmark wants to lead the way for the North Sea to become "a green power plant for all of Europe," Frederiksen said.

Denmark said the goal of the summit is to establish a common vision for the development of offshore wind energy and related infrastructure in the North Sea.

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