By Charlotte Reid 
When we talk about treasures found at the bottom of the sea, we usually think of gold, coins or wreckage from a sunken pirate ship. However, in our time, the concept of treasure is also undergoing changes, and this time in Europe, a fortune has been discovered that could change the future of the continent.
This is because the depths of the North Sea have been found to have the potential to produce nearly 45,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year, which is an important step forward in Europe’s fight against climate change and its reduction of dependence on fossil fuels.
This discovery is impressive not only for its scale, but also for the opportunity it presents for Europe to lead the global energy transformation. According to researchers, this location has long been known for its energy resources, particularly oil and natural gas, but now a new, greener approach can be applied.
This is because the North Sea offers ideal conditions for the construction of large offshore wind farms thanks to strong and constant winds combined with relatively shallow waters. These wind farms are capable of generating up to 300 gigawatts of electricity – a colossal amount that could provide electricity to millions of homes and form the basis for the production of environmentally friendly hydrogen.
However, achieving this is not so easy, primarily because one of the main obstacles is the high initial cost of creating the necessary infrastructure, especially offshore. However, new and promising projects are gradually emerging that could contribute to the creation of such bases or power stations.
If Europe fully realises this potential, it could produce nearly 45,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. This clean fuel is enough to power countless businesses and vehicles, reducing harmful emissions and contributing to the continent’s energy transition.