Alternative power conference to be held at Cefas

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (Cefas) will host a meeting at its Lowestoft laboratory on 16 September 2004 for the European POWER (Pushing Offshore Wind Energy Regions) project group.

The POWER project aims to establish a common platform for discussion, exchange and transnational initiatives by supporting the North Sea regions using offshore wind energy. The UK representatives in this multinational initiative include Suffolk County Council, the East of England Energy Group, Waveney District Council, and the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth. The project is due to run from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2007.

There are four ‘work packages’ (WPs) within the POWER project: integration of planning systems of the North Sea Member States (WP 1); economic support and the supply chain (WP 2); education (WP 3); and dissemination of best practice (WP 4). The focus of the day-long Cefas meeting will to consider ways of developing the offshore wind supply chain and furthering new sustainable industries. A network of centres of excellence in the sector is to be created, with experience of offshore oil and gas as well as onshore wind energy being particularly valued.

Cefas scientists will report on the range of work they undertake, from scientific research programmes to regulation assessment activities associated with offshore wind farms. In addition to the Cefas presentation, there will be one from SLP Engineering Ltd. The Lowestoft-based firm recently constructed the wind turbines for the Scroby Sands wind farm, which lies off the Norfolk coast. Representatives from Germany, Holland and Denmark will also give presentations.

Steve Millward, Business Development Manager at Cefas, says: “ I am delighted that Cefas are able to host the POWER conference at our Lowestoft Laboratory. It will provide a great opportunity to share thoughts, experiences and ideas about offshore wind energy development with an important stakeholder group.”

The other UK partners attending the meeting hope that it will help to underline the case for the Centre for Renewable Energy, which is being planned for Lowestoft. The Centre could be up and running in Lowestoft in 2006. It will act as focal point for all offshore wind technology interests, from developers to the region's colleges and universities. Chief Executive of Waveney District Council, Mairi McLean, said: "The Centre is yet another example of just how economically Lowestoft and Waveney are moving away from their previous industrial base into a bright new era of new technology where it will lead the country. It's a positive step into the new regeneration phase for Lowestoft.”

Notes to editors

1. Cefas is an internationally renowned scientific research and advisory establishment, based at Lowestoft since 1902. It also has laboratories at Burnham-on-Crouch and Weymouth, and a number of other facilities around the UK. It became an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (formerly MAFF) in 1997. 
2. Cefas undertakes work on fisheries management, environmental protection and aquaculture. It offers a wide range of research, advisory, consultancy, monitoring and training activities to government departments (UK and foreign, central and local), international agencies, commercial companies and aid organisations.
3. For more details about SLP Engineering Ltd see http://www.slp-eng.com/.  
4. There are 24 partners taking part in the POWER project, with representatives from Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. The project is managed by BIS Economic Development Company Bremerhaven Ltd, on behalf of the Senator of Construction, Environment and Transport of the State of Bremen. For more details, contact Dr Mathias Grabs at grabs@bis-bremerhaven.de. The main funding for the project comes from the EU (the EU-Project in Interreg III B Programme, North Sea Region). 
5. For comment about Cefas work and capabilities, contact Steve Millward via the Cefas press office. For further information about the POWER project and the conference, contact Michael Moll at Suffolk County Council on 01473 264808 or email him at michael.moll@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk. Suffolk County Council have also issued a press release (PDF, 30 KB).