EU Energy ministers will, for the first time, discuss the European Commission’s draft proposals for a €9.1 billion infrastructure package published in October.

At discussions in Luxembourg today, they will hear a first “exchange of views” on the plan, in which “electricity networks must be upgraded and modernised to meet increasing electricity demand”. The proposal aims not only at the physical infrastructure for energy, but also at the “full integration of the internal energy market”, to “ensure security of supply in the Union, to promote energy efficiency and…the interconnection of energy networks”, a European Council briefing said.

This time next week Amsterdam will be a hive of activity for anyone interested in the offshore wind energy sector. We spoke to Heiko Ross from Windreich to uncover what he thinks will be the hot topics at his session at EWEA’s OFFSHORE 2011 conference…

Why is offshore wind energy expensive compared to onshore wind energy?

BirdLife Europe is calling for “ambitious” and “binding” EU renewable energy targets for 2030. In its new report, ‘Meeting Europe’s Renewable Energy Targets in Harmony with Nature’, the conservation body says that renewable energy targets can be met without harming nature.

Ariel Brunner, head of EU policy at BirdLife, stated that “climate change is a grave threat to wildlife…wind, wave and ocean power are essential and effective ways to cut carbon emissions, and do not need to put birds, bats or other wildlife in danger.”

By Athanasia Arapogianni, Research Officer, EWEA

Offshore wind energy is where the newest and biggest turbines are. Right now we’re at 5 MW, but soon 10 MW turbines could become the norm at sea, or even more powerful. I’m really looking forward to the ‘new big turbine concepts’ session at OFFSHORE 2011 which I’ll co-chair with Jan van der Tempel from TU Delft. Our session is designed to be a nail-biting contest: six turbine manufacturers will give short pitches on why their new turbine design is the best.

With less than two weeks to go until the European Wind Energy Association’s OFFSHORE 2011 conference and exhibition, we find out what Erwin Coolen from OutSmart will be discussing at the session on reducing the costs of offshore…

Why is offshore wind energy expensive compared to onshore wind energy?

We all are aware that at this moment the costs are higher compared to onshore wind. Next to that there are a lot of contingencies, risk markups and guarantee reservations due to the immaturity of offshore wind. Cost reduction will be a matter of a maturing market and healthy market competition.