"Renewable energy has an essential role to play in tackling three major challenges we are faced with today – climate change, security of supply and competitiveness in Europe, as was recognised in the Commission's Renewable Energy Road Map of January 2007. Offshore wind energy, with its multitude of benefits, will play an important role in reaching our ambitious target of a 20% share of renewable energy in the EU in 2020. However, developing this emerging technology is not without challenges, especially as offshore wind developments move further from shore and into deeper waters and as offshore wind farms increase in scale. I believe these challenges can be tackled through improved collaboration between Member States, and between Member States, the industry, NGOs and research institutions. The European Commission also has an important role to play in facilitating offshore wind, amongst others through one of the TEN-E priority project on the connection of offshore wind in the North Sea to the continental grid. I see this conference as an excellent opportunity to address and elaborate on what further steps can be taken in this respect. I am very please to be participating in the opening session of the 2007 European Offshore Wind Conference."
Alfonso Gonzalez Finat, Director, New and Renewable Sources of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Innovation, European Commission
