Wind meets Gas 2025 from an expert perspective
By Siep Bouma – Senior Project Manager, Research & Innovation team, New Energy Coalition
This month we organised the ninth edition of Wind Meets Gas. This annual conference brings together businesses, governments, knowledge institutions, and civil society organisations to discuss the future of our energy system.
The 2025 edition focused on "Securing Economy and Energy in the North Sea Region." The program focused on the balance between sustainability, energy security, and affordability in a changing geopolitical landscape. In this article, I share my personal insights from the first day of Wind Meets Gas.
Where energy, water and food meet
The tone for the day was set by retired General Tom Middendorp with his keynote entitled, "Reshaping the Geopolitics of Energy." He emphasised the connection between energy, water, and food scarcity and the conflicts that result from it, partly as a result of climate change. Middendorp spoke from personal experience in countries like Mali, Iraq, Somalia, and Afghanistan, where he has witnessed the direct consequences of these scarcities.
I found this an interesting observation because it demonstrates how various global problems are intertwined. His analysis makes it clear that resolving international conflicts often begins with securing basic needs and climate adaptation, so that societies are better able to withstand drought, crop failures, and energy shortages. What seems self-evident in the Netherlands is, in fact, at the heart of instability, crime, terrorism, and war elsewhere.
Energy as a geopolitical tool
The next contribution, by Agnia Grigas, Senior Analyst at the Atlantic Council, followed suit. She outlined how the world is increasingly shaped by the conflict between democracies and autocratic regimes, and how energy has become a strategic tool of power. According to her, these tensions will prolong the energy transition, as countries reassess their energy security and trade relations.
I found this a sharp and realistic perspective, but I'd like to add a nuance. Precisely because of the current geopolitical tensions, the need to become resilient and independent of autocratic (fossil fuel) states is greater than ever. Rather than delaying the transition, this pressure could also lead to an acceleration of the transition, as Europe more consciously focuses on its own sustainable production and energy autonomy.
American unrest
Her story provided a striking introduction to the contribution by Jonathan Elkind, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy. He addressed the United States' shift in global climate policy. According to him, addressing climate change is no longer the US's top priority since the Trump administration. Yet, he emphasised that Europe should not be distracted by this. As he put it: "Don't get distracted by the craziness – there's plenty of it."
His message was clear: despite political instability across the ocean, Europe must stay the course and continue to invest in sustainable energy and international cooperation.
The importance of the North Sea
Elisabet Babic, President of the North Sea Commission, then shifted her focus to the North Sea region. She pointed out that approximately 200 million Europeans live close to the coast. The North Sea and adjacent waters will play a crucial role in energy production and trade. She emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation and careful spatial planning to combine the energy transition with economic development and protection of the marine ecosystem.
European cooperation
The morning sessions were concluded by Louise van Schaik, Head of EU & Global Affairs at the Clingendael Institute. She offered a regional perspective on the energy trilemma: how Europe can strike the right balance between affordability, energy security, and sustainability. Van Schaik pointed out that these three pillars are increasingly under pressure due to geopolitical tensions and rising costs. Therefore, strengthening European cooperation and strategic autonomy is essential to reduce dependence on unstable or autocratic energy partners.
I found the morning program very interesting. It became clear once again that the world faces major geopolitical and economic challenges. The energy transition requires not only innovation but also collaboration and strategic choices.
It is now more important than ever that Europe unites and actively seeks ways to become less dependent on autocratic regimes and vulnerable commodity chains.
Opportunities for the industry
In the afternoon, I attended one of the breakout sessions, "Ports at the Helm of Europe's Hydrogen Future." This session focused on the role of ports as a linchpin in the future hydrogen economy. Ports are no longer just logistics hubs, but are developing into strategic energy hubs where the production, import, and distribution of sustainable hydrogen converge.
We then concluded the day with keynotes from Jan Vos, chairman of NedZero, and Arnaud Wyers, Renewable Explorer at Total Energies, and a panel discussion on the investment perspective and opportunities for the hydrogen and offshore industry.
On to the 10th edition!
We want to make a concrete contribution to the innovations and strategic choices that need to be made. As a bridge between businesses, knowledge institutions, and government agencies, we focus on accelerating the energy transition and strengthening the sustainable economy in the North Sea region. We connect parties across sectors and national borders, stimulate innovation through research and pilot projects, and support policymakers with knowledge and practical experience.
In this way, we contribute to a future-proof energy system that is not only sustainable and affordable, but also strengthens Europe's strategic autonomy.
Next year marks the tenth edition of Wind Meets Gas. Hopefully, we can then reflect on the tangible steps Europe has taken toward greater strategic autonomy and look ahead to how we can further strengthen that trajectory.
About Wind meets Gas
Wind Meets Gas annually brings together more than 500 international professionals from the energy industry, government, and academia to discuss the latest developments and share knowledge about hydrogen and offshore energy. You'll also have the opportunity to explore new business opportunities during one-on-one matchmaking sessions with other participants and an exclusive networking dinner. On Friday, we invite the younger generation to join the discussion.
