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Fisheries may hinder Europe’s offshore wind expansion

(EurActiv, 12 Jul 2021) Europe’s offshore wind industry has reported high growth rates in 2020, but now that EU member states are putting the finishing touches on their maritime spatial plans, fisheries could put the brakes on the expansion.

The offshore wind industry recorded 7.1 GW of additional capacity in 2020, marking another record year for investments in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

This puts the industry well on track to reach its 2030 goal of 60 GW offshore capacity, with a growing number of megaprojects of more than 1 GW.

But as EU countries finalise their maritime development plans, offshore wind developers are set to clash with the interests of fishermen who are competing for space as well as attention from politicians.

“Fishermen and aquaculture producers should have a real say in the process of where those windmills are being built,” said Peter van Dalen, a Dutch lawmaker from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) who drew up a report on the matter for the European Parliament’s fisheries committee.

In his report, van Dalen says new offshore wind turbines should only be built after a comprehensive impact assessment has been made on the environment, socio-economic and socio-cultural implications.

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EurActiv, 12 Jul 2021: Fisheries may hinder Europe’s offshore wind expansion