The energy supply of the future requires innovative solutions that combine security of supply, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. This is precisely where AquaVentus, one of the leading initiatives for hydrogen production at sea, comes in: Hydrogen production in the North Sea is seen as a crucial building block for a sustainable and competitive energy supply for German industry. A key element here is the legal and infrastructural facilitation of combined connection concepts as a combination of submarine cable and pipeline. This enables sensible sector coupling at the source of generation, at the offshore wind turbine directly at sea – and is already common practice in the countries bordering the North Sea. These innovative approaches not only promise considerable cost savings, but also a more efficient use of offshore resources and an accelerated energy transition.