Andrew Ho, EWEA Offshore Analyst
Yesterday, the EWEA Offshore Working Group met in Brussels for the first time under the leadership of the new chairman, Ulrik Stridbaek, Head of Group Regulatory Affairs at DONG Energy.
The mission of the working group is to demonstrate that offshore wind is vital to Europe’s energy portfolio, security and obligations to the de-carbonised economy. The group works together to seek out and implement cost reduction via industry practice and within the regulatory environment.
“WG Offshore Wind is a leading example of industry coming together to work on the key issues. In his opening speech our chairman described the working groups as ‘the machine room of EWEA, providing the valuable input and work from members to inform and create the foundation for the board, from which EWEA forms the views to take to the public and to policy makers’ which encapsulates the WG brilliantly.”
– Andrew Ho, EWEA Offshore Wind Analyst
The Offshore Wind Working Group’s latest work has been contributing to the EWEA 2030 capacity scenario forecast, where expert members representing developers, associations and the supply chain contributed their outlooks into the future of offshore wind that was distilled into low, central and high scenarios. In 2015, as part of cost reduction activities, the group will work on identifying and highlighting regulatory barriers and inefficiencies, working with EWEA’s Finance Working Group on helping investors better understand risks in offshore wind, and working to dispel misconceptions and highlight the positives that the industry brings to the wider public.
The EWEA working groups are an ideal opportunity for EWEA members to meet and discuss current issues in a closed environment with like-minded professionals. They form part of a high-level forum providing the link between industry and the European Commission to seek firm political commitments and a stable framework from European regulators.
Each of the seven groups focuses on specific aspects of the industry; offshore wind, finance, stable frameworks, market design, networks, and communications. Meetings are held throughout the year.
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