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Offshore Wind

Consultation and Stakeholder Dialogue

BWEA adopted the principles of stakeholder dialogue before the first offshore wind farms were even mooted. By working with more than 200 organisations BWEA was able to achieve consensus on how this important technology would be best developed. On this page you can see the history, warts and all, of these discussions, and download the agreed document, adopted by 32 parties.

However, this isn't just BWEA's document: it belongs to all the organisations who worked with us in achieving consensus. Below is the introduction by Russell Marsh, then the Climate Change Policy Officer with WWF, launching the Best Practice Guidelines on Consultation at the wind industry's 2002 offshore conference.

If you have any further questions on our continuing dialogue with all those with an interest in harnessing renewable energy at sea, please contact BWEA's dedicated member of staff, Dr Gordon Edge, Head of Offshore (g.edge@renewable-uk.com).

Russell Marsh, WWF, launching the Best Practice Guidelines on Consultation
"The UK has the largest potential wind resource in Europe and wind (both onshore and offshore) is expected to make up a large proportion of the Government's 10 per cent renewables target by 2010. Historically, some onshore wind developments have attracted strong opposition that has resulted in a long, protracted and expensive development process. It is important that offshore wind development does not go down the same path. The development process for offshore wind can be 'streamlined' by ensuring that all interested parties are consulted and able to air their views on the development and feel that their views are being given the appropriate consideration. That is the aim of these Best Practice Guidelines: Consultation for Offshore Wind Development. They have been drawn up through an independently facilitated process initiated by the BWEA and have the support of a wide range of organisations including WWF. The guidelines outline the importance of effective consultation and provide a number of tools to help design a suitable process, from identifying who the stakeholders are, through the various 'consultation' techniques that can be employed, and how to present information to the different stakeholders. WWF fully supports the development of offshore wind in the UK and is very happy to endorse these consultation guidelines and hope that they help make the development process smoother and less contentious than that experienced onshore"

Click on this picture to download your copy of the Best Practice Guidelines: Consultation for Offshore Wind Development

Stakeholder Dialogue - Towards a consensus

BWEA initiated a 'stakeholder dialogue' with parties with an interest in the development of an offshore wind energy industry, including fishermen, tourist boards and bird protection groups. An independent third-party convenor, The Environment Council, mediated the process of finding an agreed way forward and identifying areas where more work needs to be done.

The process was completed after a series of meetings, held between June 1999 and June 2001. As a result of the stakeholder dialogue BWEA lead the establishment of Best Practice Guidelines on consultation and public participation in offshore wind energy developments.

BWEA is committed to ensuring that offshore wind projects are able to develop in a way which is consistent with good environmental practice and are supported by local communities. BWEA believes this can be achieved by the industry working with communities and other stakeholders in the development process.

We are hoping that the final Guidelines will be 'owned' by a wide cross section of stakeholder organisations. We want them to be used not just by developers but by communities, local authorities, government agencies and NGOs. It is for this reason that we are taking this innovative and participative approach to creating the Guidelines.