Session Four: Maintaining the Dialogue
Speakers: Brian Clark, Lyndsey Dodds, Charles Anglin
Wave energy, which is older technology than wind energy does not seem to be gaining popularity, why is this?
Wave energy has potential and the UK is the world leader in its development at present, but it is still a small sector and wave and tidal energy are where wind energy was fifteen years ago. There are lots of proposals and prototype schemes but no commercially viable generating equipment. However, we can expect it to expand.
The maintenance of offshore wind turbines presents a high risk of failure and problems of access for maintenance. How serious is it, and what is being done?
The turbines are much like scaled-up onshore turbines, and in some ways are less complex as they do not need to be as quiet. The technology is evolving. The risk of failure is present, but energy companies are investing in turbines despite their reputation for risk aversion.
Politics is in something of a state of flux and we are likely to have a change of government within a year or two. How do the speakers see the main parties? What do they think the prospects are under a Conservative government?
All parties are receptive to the Marine Bill and a change of government would not make a fundamental difference, there is cross-party support for the Marine Bill.
There is a consensus among the parties, but with some differences of emphasis. The Liberal Democrats are generally more sympathetic to NGOs and environmental groups whereas the Conservatives tend to reflect more the views of industry, with Labour somewhere between. A change of government will not change the policy framework dramatically, but there is considerable leeway for individual ministers to act as they see fit, and a minister who was, for instance, a climate change sceptic could be ‘unhelpful.’