EU launches consultation on wind power action plan

The European Commission yesterday launched a public consultation in preparation for an action plan to boost offshore wind energy production to be published by the end of this year.

A spokesman for the Commission told The Times that through this online consultation process the Commission would like to know the views of public authorities, businesses, NGOs and other interested parties. It would like to find out about the most important barriers related to the future development of offshore energy in Europe and the actions that might be taken to address these barriers, especially at EU level.

The Commission said that while the foreseen action plan will focus on wind energy, the European Commission is aware of the fact that some themes may also be relevant for other offshore renewable energy developments like wave, tidal and ocean current energy.

"We therefore encourage stakeholders to contribute to this questionnaire also in the view of other offshore renewable energy resources," the spokesman said.

Last January the Commission made a far-reaching package of energy and climate change-related proposals including a draft directive to promote renewable energy and increase its share to 20 per cent by 2020.

According to the Commission, offshore wind energy has the potential to make a significant contribution to reaching this target but exploiting this potential is associated with a number of specific challenges that might require further, more targeted actions.

Earlier this month, Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said that offshore wind energy has promising prospects and the EU wants to make sure that member states are encouraged to invest in this type of renewable energy.

Malta is expected to invest heavily in this sector in the coming years.

During the electoral campaign, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announced that one of his administration's main projects would be the development of a multi-million euro wind farm 20 miles off the island's coastline capable of producing between 75 and 100 MW of clean energy. This would amount to 20 per cent of all Malta's energy needs and will help the island to reach its renewable energy targets for 2020 agreed with the EU last year.

Malta's renewable energy target for 2020 has been set by the Commission at 10 per cent of all its energy demand.

Currently the island only produces 0.36 per cent of its energy needs from alternative sources of energy.

The consultation process will be open until June 20. More information can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/consultation/offshore_wind_energy_en.htm.