UK - Consensus on offshore wind

Key stakeholders including Alistair Buchanan, CEO Ofgem; Edmund Brookes, Deputy Director-General, Chamber of Shipping, and David Young, Executive Director of Natural England, strongly expressed their support for offshore wind today at an industry event in Liverpool.

Addressing a 300 strong gathering of the leading figures in the offshore wind industry, they all agreed that early engagement is key to allocating new large sites for development and delivery by 2020, vital if the sector is to play the role that will be required of it in meeting EU targets for 20% energy.

BWEA CEO Maria McCaffery commented:

“I was heartened to hear such important players express their support for our industry and their desire for early dialogue. Their contribution provides a great sense of confidence as we move forward. I am a firm believer that with goodwill, plain speaking and early engagement of all stakeholders, great things are possible."

Much is happening in the UK offshore wind arena: construction is well underway at Burbo Bank, the UK's 4th large scale offshore project to be built which, when energised later this year, will increase the UK's offshore wind portfolio by 33%. A further 3 projects are already under construction: when completed they will put the UK in pole position, overtaking Denmark as the country with the most megawatts offshore.

For more details on today's event BWEA Offshore 07 visit www.bwea.com/offshore/conference.html.