The An Integrated and Resilient North Sea report examines how the North Sea can evolve into a coordinated, cross-border energy system, bringing together carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen infrastructure to support Europe’s transition to net zero.
At a time of increasing pressure on energy security, decarbonisation targets and investment delivery, the report sets out a clear system-level view of how infrastructure must evolve. It highlights the risks of fragmented development and outlines what is needed to build a connected, scalable and resilient North Sea energy network.
The report covers the CCS and hydrogen landscape across the UK, Norway and mainland Europe, including transport and storage infrastructure and the growing role of cross-border networks in meeting future demand. It also examines four core dimensions of resilience: technical, operational, regulatory and economic, and how these shape long-term system performance.
Detailed analysis includes infrastructure design and interoperability, regulatory frameworks such as emissions trading alignment and cross-border rules, and the challenges around investment, financing and delivery. It also explores the economic realities of long payback periods, early underutilisation and capital-intensive assets, alongside the role of coordinated planning in reducing long-term costs and unlocking system-wide value.
Produced with DNV, the report provides a data-led assessment of market trends, infrastructure requirements and the steps needed to move from project-level development to a fully integrated regional system.
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