In March 2025, the Offshore Proof consortium gathered in Lille for our very first face-to-face partnership meeting — marking the official launch of this ambitious new initiative under the Interreg North-West Europe programme. Fresh from the Interreg NWE seminar for newly approved projects, we met just a few blocks away to dive into the details of our shared mission: unlocking the full potential of offshore renewable energy in North-West Europe.
One Sea, One Goal: Turning barriers into breakthroughs
Our sea basin is brimming with untapped energy — from waves, tides to solar. Yet many of the promising solutions to harness this huge resource face the same bottleneck: they struggle to move beyond the prototype stage due to a lack of access to accredited offshore test facilities and clear certification pathways.
That’s the common territorial challenge we’re tackling head-on.
At Offshore Proof, we see this not just as a hurdle, but an opportunity. With the right infrastructure, support, and coordination, North-West Europe can lead the world in testing, validating, and scaling offshore innovations that are essential for a sustainable energy future.
Our solution: Offshore Proof
Over the next four years, our consortium of seven partners — including test facilities, universities, innovation networks, and technical experts — work together to build a network of accredited Renewable Energy (Offshore) Test Laboratories (RETLS). This means bringing test sites closer to compliance with international IEC standards, while also supporting innovators with market access.
A strong start in Lille
The meeting in Lille laid the foundation for this collaboration. We explored our project planning, budget alignment, and the steps each offshore test site will take toward achieving IECRE acceptance. This acceptance process ensures that testing reports are globally recognized, boosting trust and investment in emerging offshore technologies.
Each partner delivered a short pitch, sharing their strengths and ambitions — from Campus@Sea’s project coordination and business support, to Fraunhofer IFAM’s advanced offshore research station at Helgoland in Germany, to the demonstration capabilities of Blue Accelerator in Belgium, the Offshore Test Site in the Netherlands and Open-C's tidal testing zone at Paimpol-Bréhat.
We also discussed how we’ll engage with regional stakeholders through Communities of Practice, based on the well-known CoP Noordzee model and its success in building collaboration in the Dutch offshore sector.
What’s Next?
We’re just getting started — but the energy, alignment, and shared sense of purpose in Lille were clear signs that Offshore Proof is set for impact. Our work will benefit not only technology developers and test sites, but also policy makers, investors, and coastal communities across the region.
Stay tuned as we turn this vision into reality — and help Europe prove what’s possible offshore.