Europe: WindEurope promotes the Blue Economy

On day one, Karmenu Vella, the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries and Jyrki Katainen, the Commissioner for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, addressed delegates on the significant opportunities in Europe’s seas. Both Commissioners made positive references to the offshore wind industry and the significant economic benefits they bring to coastal communities and the maritime sector.

On day two, Ivan Pineda, WindEurope’s Director of Public Affairs, joined a panel of industry innovators in a discussion chaired by the EC Joint Research Centre. Panellists included WindEurope’s leading member EDPR and Finnish utility Fortum. Participants explored what investment strategies are needed to bring innovative offshore energy technologies to full commercialistion.

“High initial investment costs and risks throughout the entire technology development require tailor-made financing mechanisms from the public and private sectors” Pineda said. “While EU funding mechanisms such as the NER300, EFSI and H2020 are available to fund projects, these have little allocated capital, entail cumbersome procedures and are too focused on close-to-market technologies.”

For more information visit: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/en/home

You can find speeches from Commissioners Vella and Katainen here: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritimeday/en/programme-items/welcome