Diving into energy innovation: results of the second SWiM workshop

We stand at a crossroads: do we continue scaling up proven technologies such as offshore wind to increase efficiency and affordability, or do we diversify with offshore solar, wave energy and other emerging technologies to make our energy system more robust and innovative?

These questions were at the heart of the second workshop within the SWiM project. This workshop took place in Leuven on 20 October, and was organised by Blue Cluster in collaboration with the project partners.

Participants dove into the challenge of balancing innovation, resilience, and affordability in an increasingly complex offshore energy system. Many of the issues surrounding offshore photovoltaics (OPV), such as harsh marine conditions, grid connection, and permitting, are technical in nature but also reflect broader choices about the kind of energy system we aim to build.

Should our North Sea become a zone of technological specialisation, or rather a dynamic platform for multi-energy interaction? The answers to these questions will shape how Belgium’s offshore strategy contributes not only to renewable energy targets but also to long-term energy security and sovereignty.

Discussions showed that offshore wind remains the backbone of Belgium’s energy strategy, while complementary technologies can further strengthen system resilience. The integration of floating solar panels (OPV) at sea remains complex and costly for now. Early development is therefore best carried out nearshore or in sunnier regions, while Belgium focuses on optimising wind energy and expanding storage capacity.

An effective combination of OPV and wind requires co-design from the outset: retrofitting existing infrastructure adds cost and reduces reliability. Although hybrid systems require higher initial investments, they can become economically viable at scale, especially when combined with energy storage, which provides immediate benefits in the Belgian North Sea context.

Further progress in OPV depends on clear standards and small-scale, low-risk pilot projects that gradually pave the way for larger applications. Simplifying the current multi-agency permitting system, for example through a single coordinated framework, would significantly improve efficiency.

Participants also highlighted the importance of targeted innovation funding and accessible offshore testing facilities, such as the Blue Accelerator, rather than adapting existing tenders that are less suitable for emerging technologies. Reliability remains key: corrosion-resistant materials, waterproof cabling, and durable PV modules are essential to withstand the harsh marine environment.

While shading from wind turbines has limited impact on solar yield, this can be further minimised through optimised panel orientation and layout. Given the limited feasibility of wave energy in Belgium, the most promising hybrid combination is that of offshore wind, solar, and storage.

The overall message of the workshop was clear: Belgium should continue to focus on optimising wind energy and integrating storage, while developing offshore photovoltaics step by step through co-designed, standardised, and scalable systems.

A heartfelt thank-you to our guest speakers Valentin Dupont (Ocean Energy Europe), Sten Swanenberg (Dutch Wave Power), Midas Caubergs (Elia), and Andrew Borg (FLASC) for their valuable contributions.

A full report of the workshop will be published on this page soon.