UK - The climate won't wait for change

As the Government today launches its draft Marine Bill the offshore renewables industry expresses the need for effective implementation of a clear and efficient planning process that will allow for the delivery of the only technologies available to deliver 20% renewable electricity for the UK by 2020.

It is vital that Government uses this opportunity to commit itself to facilitating the development of offshore wind, wave and tidal stream energy projects. It must explicitly state that climate change and, more specifically, measures to reduce carbon emissions will be priority activities in the marine environment. Government must make tough decisions where conflicts arise and ensure, across all departments, that problems are addressed quickly. Indeed the Marine Bill will have to facilitate such solutions to the development of offshore renewables efficiently if this country is to rise to the challenge of reducing carbon emissions from the power sector.

If addressing climate change continues to be a priority policy there can be little wavering on the delivery of this outcome. However it is equally important that, en route, Government does not forget the immediate need to drive the offshore renewables market through the delivery of wind projects that are passing through the present system and wave and tidal stream projects that are approaching it, as well as those that will follow before the Bill finally becomes an Act. Any hiatus created by the passing of this Bill will only add to the many levels of uncertainty presented by issues such as market support mechanism reforms and the global demand for technology.

BWEA will continue to engage positively with DEFRA, and other departments, to ensure the concerns and expectations of the offshore renewables industry are fully recognized and dealt with in a timely manner. Unfortunately climate change will not wait the many years it has taken this Bill to leave the drawing board, confront its issues and find itself a Parliamentary slot. It requires decisive action and commitment now. There can be no greater priority.


Maria McCaffery MBE, CEO of BWEA stated:

"This is a huge piece of legislation that Government has to get right first time. Any delays in the planning process for offshore renewables caused by its implementation will only result in the failure of this country to meet its renewable energy targets. We need a clear transition into a simpler and more streamlined system as quickly as possible, and we need Government to take the tough decisions necessary to ensure that carbon reduction is given the priority it deserves in marine policy."

For further information and comment, contact Alison Hill, BWEA Head of Communications on 07956 859 749.