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Malcolm Wicks MP, Minister of State for Energy
BERR Conference Centre, 04 June 2008
Today is an exciting and important day for the future development of the offshore renewables industry. Crown Estate are announcing their launch for a new Round for offshore wind. I urge the renewables industry to take the opportunity being offered to them and register their interest, in what I believe is a positive and enterprising business opportunity.
We face two major energy challenges: energy security – that is keeping our lights on, our homes heated and our economy powered, with reliable, clean and affordable energy. Equally important is tackling climate change, primarily by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy-related sources.
We are committed to renewable generation and fully support the European Commission’s target to source 20% of Europe’s energy from renewable sources by 2020. It is a vital first step towards the long term goal for the EU to become a low-carbon economy.
These targets are extremely challenging: electricity generation from renewables will have to increase by as much as 30-35%, perhaps higher.
Over recent years, the expansion of wind energy is a real success story for the UK. We will shortly become the leading country in the world in terms of the number of wind farms operating offshore.
It is important to continue to press ahead and ensure that offshore renewables become an even greater contributor to the UK’s energy mix. The further expansion of offshore renewable electricity generation in Round 3 will benefit not only the environment but also our energy security and the UK economy.
Last year, we announced the start of our Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) assessing up to 33GW of offshore wind development. The scoping consultation phase of the Strategic Environmental Assessment is complete and we are publishing a synthesis of the responses today. We expect to be able to respond to the Strategic Environmental Assessment with a decision on the scale of development early in 2009. Developers will then be in a position to press ahead with seeking the relevant consents.
I am encouraged that the leasing programme, proposed by Crown Estate, aligns with our SEA timetable and energy policy framework and I hope it will result in a timely acceleration in new applications for consents and, ultimately, more wind farms generating renewable electricity, more quickly.
Meanwhile, I am conscious of the potential impacts and wishes on other users of the sea. There is a lot of good work already underway both within Government and industry to facilitate appropriate delivery of offshore renewables, including work to tackle constraints such as radar, shipping, grid access and infrastructure issues, as well as addressing ecological concerns.
I’m delighted to hear from Rob how the Crown Estate are proposing to, not only take a lead role in assisting the large-scale development of offshore wind farms, but also to invest directly in the next generation of offshore wind farms. Welcome news.
