This follows publication in January of a draft directive to increase the use of renewable energy to 20 per cent of total consumption by 2020. While offshore wind farms could make a significant contribution to reaching this target, the Commission believes there are specific problems with exploiting this energy source.
It is hoped the on-line consultation process will provide a clearer understanding of the difficulties of constructing large-scale offshore wind farms and delivering the energy they generate and provide suggestions of how best the European Union could support the development of offshore wind energy resources.