The 2025 EERA DeepWind Conference, held in Trondheim, Norway, proved to be a resounding success, attracting around 300 scientists, industry experts, and key stakeholders for three days of in-depth discussions on the latest advancements in offshore wind research and innovation (R&I). Now a well-established annual event, the conference has been held since 2004 and is organized by a collaboration of prominent institutions, including SINTEF, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), through its Joint Programme on Wind (JP Wind).

The conference was officially opened by Konstanze Kölle, member of JP Wind management board and Sub-Programme Coordinator on Wind System Integration. This year marked a significant transition as Konstanze took over the role from John Olav Tande, who had been a driving force behind the conference for many years. John Olav, who had the honor of opening the 20th edition in 2024, left his position at SINTEF and EERA DeepWind in the autumn of 2024 to assume the role of Senior Vice President for R&D and Innovation at Statnett. This conference therefore marked Konstanze’s first appearance in the role, continuing the legacy of leadership and vision in driving the conference’s success.

Opening Session: A Panel Discussion on Industry Challenges

The opening session included a thought-provoking panel discussion focused on the challenges facing the offshore wind industry and the necessary steps forward. Moderated by Ignacio Marti, Vice-Coordinator of JP Wind from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), the panel featured distinguished experts, including Davide Amatofrom the European Commission's DG RTD, Capucine Vannoorenberghe from the ETIPWind Secretariat, John Olav Tande (Statnett), and Stephan Barth, Coordinator of JP Wind (ForWind).

In setting the stage for the urgency of action in addressing climate change, John Olav Tande underscored the critical need for accelerated efforts: “We’ve already reached the 1.5-degree threshold for global warming, meaning we can’t emit a single additional kilogram of CO2. We need to move quickly.”

This call for urgency was echoed throughout the discussion, with Ignacio Marti emphasizing the importance of aligning the research and innovation strategies of both academia and industry: “The close alignment of R&I strategies between academia and industry is promising. We are prepared to engage with the European Commission on the actions needed to scale up and how to fund these initiatives.”

The Road Ahead: Funding, Technology, and Policy Alignment

Capucine Vannoorenberghe, representing ETIPWind, added her perspective on the sector’s evolving landscape: “While we all share the same ambitions and vision for wind energy, we must shift mindsets in certain areas. The industry is rapidly changing—turbines are becoming larger, costs are rising, and financing mechanisms must evolve to meet these challenges. The R&I landscape needs to provide technology-specific solutions.”

A common concern raised during the panel was the current complexity and length of the funding application process. As Capucine Vannoorenberghe noted, the process can take up to five years, often rendering funding opportunities obsolete before projects even begin. Streamlining the application process is essential to keep pace with the fast-moving industry.

Davide Amato, Deputy Head of the European Commission’s Research & Innovation unit, acknowledged the increased funding commitment to wind energy. “Horizon Europe has been a tremendous success, and much work is underway behind the scenes, including initiatives that address the societal aspects of renewable energy deployment.” He further emphasized the importance of European and national-level commitment: “We must ensure that member states are fully on board, and we have to be creative in utilizing the remaining years of Horizon Europe, especially in 2026 and 2027. The tools available for funding can evolve, and we must work to make calls for proposals faster and more responsive.”

A Call for Strategic Action

Stephan Barth, Coordinator of JP Wind, concluded the discussion by highlighting the changing global dynamics in the wind sector: “We are operating in a vastly different global landscape than just a few years ago. The need for strategic alignment between research, innovation, and funding has never been more urgent. The competition is fierce, and we must act swiftly. In light of the shifting geopolitical context, it is essential for policymakers to renew and strengthen their commitment to wind energy R&I and deployment.”

The 2025 EERA DeepWind Conference thus reinforced the collective commitment of the research and industry community to accelerate offshore wind development. The discussions, ideas, and partnerships forged over the course of the event will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the future of offshore wind energy in Europe and beyond.

Finally, it's important to note the great presence for our management board members during the conference:

Tuhfe Göçmen (SP Coordinator on Digitalisation and Optimisation of Operation & Maintenance) presented the DigiWind project in the opening session, focused on the need to advance digital skills in wind energy and educate future engineering talents.

Peter Eecen (SP Coordinator on Skills, Coexistence and Acceptability) and Dorothy Dankel (SP Coordinator on Sustainability and Circularity) chaired the 'New Turbine and Generator Technology' and 'Environmental Impact' sessions, respectively, while Arno van Wingerde (SP Coordinator on Industrialisation, Scale-Up and Competitiveness) co-chaired the 'Substructures and Mooring' session. Irene Eguinoa (SP Vice-Coordinator on Wind System Integreation) led the 'Wind Farm Control' session, with Konstanze also overseeing the closing session.

Credits Photo : Simon Rubin, DTU