Environmentalists and renewables hold first joint offshore wind-ustry conference (in England)

The independent body which advises the Government on environmental issues south of the border –  Natural England – and a UK trade association representing wind, wave and tidal energy, are holding a their first joint Offshore Wind Industry conference today and tomorrow (19 March)

More than 60 delegates – including offshore wind companies and representatives from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, The Crown Estate and the Marine Maritime Organisation, as well as Natural England, RenewableUK and the Renewables Training Network – are attending the two-day seminar.

They are set to discuss a range of topics covering environmental issues and questions about the way offshore wind energy projects are planned and built to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible. The event will provide an opportunity for all those attending to form new working relationships by making personal contacts.

Natural England and Renewable UK are working together, holding joint surgeries to provide advice to other delegates. The Renewables Training Network –  the independent, industry-led body which helps workers from other sectors to make the transition into renewables – is also taking part in the surgeries to promote job creation.

Natural England will also be promoting its Staff Interchange Programme during the seminar, encouraging its staff to arrange short-term placements and further joint training with developer customers in order to continue to widen understanding of their business, exchanging views on our different roles and perspectives, and sharing best practice.

Dave Webster, Chief Executive, Natural England, said: “We want to help the renewable industry succeed in developing England’s sustainable energy resources and we want to help it to do so in a way that respects the natural beauty and wildlife that we are fortunate enough to have here in this country.