European Offshore Wind Energy Capable of Powering 6 million Households, Says EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, Innovation

Filip Pavlov, BTA correspondent Stanimir Dimitrov

European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva addresses an international forum "Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future", Burgas, October 24, 2025 (BTA Photo/Hristo Stefanov)

Burgas, on the Black Sea,

24.10.2025 14:12

(BTA)

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Science and innovation can support the sustainable development of the Black Sea Region and the balance between security, growth and climate action in the region, Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said in a video address to participants at the Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future International Forum here on Friday.

"The topic that brought us together today is not just rational, but strategic. Because the future of the Black Sea Region is part of the future of Europe. Every time we talk about the Black Sea, we talk both locally and strategically. We talk about many things, from tourism and the environment, through energy, to security and defense. Finding a balance between all of them is not an easy task", she stated, adding that science and innovation are not a panacea, but they can help a lot for this balance.

Zaharieva recalled the European Commission's new strategy for the strategic approach to the Black Sea Region published in May 2025, which brings together security, sustainable growth and climate action. The understanding of connectivity is strategic as well, she emphasized, noting that in addition to Europeans, these topics also affect other countries with access to the Black Sea.

The European Commissioner stressed the importance of the blue economy, which encompasses traditional and new sectors such as shipping, fisheries and tourism, marine energy, biotechnology and digital solutions. "By 2022, it provided almost 5 million jobs, had a turnover of EUR 890 billion and generates nearly EUR 250 billion of gross value added. It is one of the fastest growing economic sectors and in just two decades, Europe has gone from a few demonstration installations to almost 19 gigawatts of offshore wind energy in 11 countries, enough to power over 6 million households", Zaharieva commented.

Investments in innovation produce real results, and common policies, incentives and financial instruments are the way to achieve them, she said, noting the success of initiatives such as the mission to restore the oceans by 2030 and the new European Ocean Pact. "The strategic thing in all of them is for science, business and politics to act in sync so that ambitions and good intentions can find expression in scientific activity.

The Black Sea 2030: Partnership for a Sustainable Future International Forum is organized by Burgas Municipality, in partnership with the ProspectiM Association and with the support of the scientific community, maritime business and the non-governmental sector. It focused on the green transition, the protection of the marine and coastal environment, digitalization and the promotion of innovations in the blue economy. The goal of the forum is to create a platform for visionary ideas and the exchange of good practices.

/MY/