The conference was the follow-up to an EU-wide ministerial meeting about offshore wind in 2004 (Egmond, the Netherlands). “Early results from offshore wind projects have been promising. But there remain barriers in the way of its fuller development”, said chairman Jim Campbell from the UK Department of Trade and Industry.

The Council of Ministers is called to ask the Commission to initiate a European policy, starting with an Action Plan. This month the Commission will publish the Action Plan for Biomass, see elsewhere in this newsletter). Moreover, the Copenhagen Strategy plans to establish a Technology Platform for Wind Energy, with a special chapter for offshore, within the European plan for research and development. Already more than 25 proposals for such platforms have been submitted.

The main recommendations cover the areas of market development, grid access and the environment. Facilitating and streamlining of the issuing of permits is an important issue. A “one-stop shop” approach to offshore regulation was recognised as an efficient way to reduce costs. Particular issues concerning the connection of offshore wind energy to the grid also have to be tackled by long-term planning. Participants also urged to have common efforts, like sharing data of demonstration projects, cooperation between wind-power industry, utilities and financial institutions and R&D.

Next steps will be taken by a steering committee of Denmark, UK, the Netherlands and Germany. Next year Germany will organize a follow-up conference.