The Marine & Coastal Access Bill – Getting the Balance Right

1. The Marine & Coastal Access Bill – Getting the Balance Right Charles Anglin Communications Director, BWEA

2. About BWEA • BWEA represents the wind, wave & tidal sectors in the UK • Over 470 members, large & small from all sectors • 30 members of staff based in Westminster

3. Offshore wind industry • UK 15% renewable energy target by 2020 – 35% of electricity • SEA UK coastal waters to identify up to 33GW worth of potential offshore sites for wind farms • Round 3 process to allocate 9 zones complete by end of year – 20 - 25GW offshore likely by 2020 • Marine policy could restrict ability to deliver on targets

4. Our view of the Bill • A good Bill – need new offshore planning regime • Support certainty over environmental designations • Offshore is working as well as living environment

5. The Bill must balance environmental concerns with economic needs

6. Three main pinch-points in Bill • Marine Management Organisation • Offshore planning regime • MCZ designation

7. Marine Management Organisation • Must be more than just another nature conservation agency • Revised remit much better – “furthering sustainable development” • Resourcing remains a problem – need guarantees over energy & planning expertise

8. Offshore planning regime • Marine Policy Statement status • MMO relationship with IPC • Roll-out of Marine Plans

9. MCZ designation • Identification of potential sites based on science • Designation needs to consider wider socio-economic issues • Regional stakeholder panels secretariat must have socio-economic expertise • MMO should advise Ministers on sustainable development

10. Continuing the Dialogue • Industry wants to be responsible part of marine community • Must avoid false conflict between conservation vs sustainable development • Mustn't be excluded from ongoing process: • Marine Plans • Marine Policy Statement • Designation of MCZs

11. Thank you