On Monday 12th OMA, the architectural office of Rem Koolhaas, presented the masterplan Zeekracht (sea power) for the North Sea. Main feature is a ring of cables that connects windmill farms of the seven adjacent countries. An international institute in the centre of the ring unites the knowledge on wind energy. The Netherlands takes a central position in the plan, not only geographically but also as a source of experience and information.

With shared infrastructure and shared knowledge the North Sea countries can make the step from carbon based energy towards sustainable energy. In the year 2025 Europe should be able to be independent of the oil states and Russia using a combination of wind- and solar energy. The wind energy generated at the North Sea equals the amount of energy now produced in the Persian Golf.

The plan groups windmill parks in a composition that generates vast areas of nature reserves. Large scale fishing is impossible near a windmill park, thus areas give shelter to fish and other sea life. In between mills artificial reefs can grow contributing to the enrichment of sealife.

The plan has been made in collaboration with the seven countries surounding the North Sea. Shipping lanes and nature will not be touched, since the plan is located far from the coast lines. Current parks are located withing viewing distance of the land due to loss of energy during transportation. How to build turbines far from the coast is a new field yet to be explored.