Toespraak bij de subsessie Innovative Solutions to Offshore Wind Energy in Seoul, Zuid Korea

Toespraak | 04-11-2014

Ladies and gentlemen,

Korea’s economic development over the past fifty years has been most impressive. Your growth figures have been dazzling, and today they are the envy of many countries. These days, Korea makes its mark in innovation in vehicles, and bio- and nanotechnology. Companies such as LG and Samsung are renowned names in electronics, and sell their products all over the world. But the engine of this advanced industrial country can only run if it has enough fuel.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Securing a sustainable energy supply for future generations is one of today’s biggest challenges. Both Korea and the Netherlands are putting a lot of effort into finding the right answers - solutions based on the same principles: they must be available, affordable and clean.

Wind energy is one of those answers, particularly as both Korea and the Netherlands have a long coastline. But wind energy also has some disadvantages: the costs are high, there is sometimes insufficient public support and the technological developments can’t keep pace with new requirements. Through cooperation, our governments, business and knowledge sectors can address these issues.

Today I saw a great example of how Korean and Dutch companies have connected. I just attended the signing of the Memorandums of Understanding on cooperation projects. That is a good start, but there are more opportunities for cooperation. Both Korea and the Netherlands are creating new energy plans and in doing so, they have set ambitious targets for wind energy. Let me give you an insight into the Dutch energy policy and the opportunities this creates for Korean businesses.

In the Netherlands, we strive for an energy mix from renewable sources, including wind and solar power, and also traditional sources, such as oil, gas and coal. This increases the reliability of the energy supply, while limiting costs for consumers and businesses.

In the long term we aim to switch to a sustainable, low carbon energy supply. To help achieve this, last year the government entered into an Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth with employers, trade unions, environmental organisations and other parties. Over forty organisations committed themselves to agreements that form the basis for a future-proof energy and climate policy.

We established objectives for offshore wind power in the agreement: by 2023 we want to generate enough electricity from offshore wind farms for approximately five million households. To generate this energy, wind farms are needed with a joint capacity of 4450 megawatts – which is about four times the capacity of the wind farms in operation plus those now under construction. From 2015, I will announce five calls to tender, each for the generation of 700 megawatts from offshore wind farms.

The biggest challenge is to make offshore wind power affordable and more competitive with traditional sources of energy. We have assumed that the costs of offshore wind power will fall by 40% per Megawatt hour over the next decade.

To achieve this, the government is taking measures to standardise the grids, and it has taken the lead in spatial planning for wind farms. It is now up to the industry to further reduce costs.

Cooperation between Korean and Dutch businesses can contribute to reducing costs. We complement each other’s strengths very well. Many Korean wind energy businesses have a background in shipbuilding, so have unique knowledge and experience with steel. By contrast, Dutch businesses are experts in the design, testing and construction of wind farms.

For several years, Korea and the Netherlands have been investigating how we can work together in the field of offshore wind energy. The first cooperation projects have been implemented and I hope this day will produce more investments, export opportunities and mutual exchange of knowledge and expertise. That way, we can together find part of the solution for a sustainable energy supply for future generations. So that the engine of industry has enough fuel to continue to run.

Thank you.