We are committed to further developing renewable energy to play an increasing role in the UK's energy mix.'

The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA), which also supports other sources of marine renewable energy, was enthusiastic about the latest demonstration of government commitment to marine renewables. BWEA chief executive Marcus Rand said, 'This trebling of support for wave and tidal stream power is a first step on the road to commercialising these technologies, While wind will be delivering the majority of the UK's renewable targets for the next few years, BWEA is looking forward to the time when it is joined by significant contributions from new marine sources.'

Meanwhile, British Maritime Technology (BMT) is applying its navigation risk assessment tools to help regional marine authorities mitigate the risks associated with offshore wind farm developments. Many of the objections to wind farms concern the threat they could pose to safety of navigation.

BMT has already used DYMITRI, its advanced coastal zone marine traffic risk assessment tool, in complex marine traffic risk assessments, including those at two of the world's busiest ports, Hong Kong and Singapore.

As part of a ? 4.5 million European Safety at Sea project, funded by the European Union's Interreg IIIB North Sea Region Programme, BMT will now be using this expertise in an offshore wind farm risk management initiative together with Trinity House Lighthouse Services and the Flemish and Danish maritime authorities.

The objective is to provide practical methodologies for wind farm planning, the evaluation of risks to shipping and the implementation of risk control measures. These could be used by national and regional marine authorities, spatial planners, lighthouse authorities and renewable energy operators to ensure that the offshore wind farm industry can realise its potential for growth in a safe and sustainable way.

There is no simple solution to safe navigation around a wind farm. Diversion of traffic around facilities can generate additional complications as shipping activities interact with one another. Any navigation changes can have knock-on effects, increasing collision risks and risks associated with loss of steerage and drifting.

As a result, the project will include the development of procedures, guidelines and processes for dealing with the risks presented by a wind farm development or multiple wind farms in close proximity in relation to existing navigation and scenarios of possible marine traffic growth. It will also examine the risks presented by any wind farm in relation to a wider cluster of different developments, such as oil and gas development structures.

MJ Information No: 19701