Member States with suitable coastlines are encouraged to make use of their enormous resource of wind energy. This will help realise the European Commission’s ambition to reduce European greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below the 1990 levels by 2020.

The Member States were also asked to agree upon a realistic idea of how much offshore wind power can be realised by 2020. In the opinion of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) 60 gigawatt is realistic. In 2007, the 1 GW offshore wind power milestone will be met, since an additional 300 MW will come online to the existing 920 MW capacity. This means an annual growth of 30%.

Special attention was asked for the integration of the power grids. The participants suggested the appointment of a European coordinator on grids for north European offshore wind power plants. They also stated that installation of large scale wind parks would create the need for a new power transmission structure.

Participants also stressed the need for promotion of environmental studies for addressing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind power on the marine environment. The spontaneous formation of a working group on “Guidelines on Wind Energy and Nature Conservation” was welcomed.

The recommendations by the EU Policy Workshop will be discussed in the Energy Council on 8 June 2007.

Further information:

European Wind Energy Association

European offshore wind conference, 4 – 6 December in Berlin