Motion for a resolution | Doc. 12552 | 25 March 2011

Offshore wind farms: an economic and ecological opportunity for Europe

Signatories: Ms Christine MARIN, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE, Spain, EPP/CD ; Mr Alexandros ATHANASIADIS, Greece, SOC ; Mr Iosif Veniamin BLAGA, Romania, EPP/CD ; Mr Tor BREMER, Norway, SOC ; Ms Giuliana CARLINO, Italy, ALDE ; Mr Zbigniew GIRZYŃSKI, Poland, EDG ; Mr Stanislav IVANOV, Bulgaria, EPP/CD ; Ms Francine JOHN-CALAME, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Cecilia KEAVENEY, Ireland, ALDE ; Mr Juha KORKEAOJA, Finland, ALDE ; Mr Jean-François LE GRAND, France, EPP/CD ; Mr Bernard MARQUET, Monaco, ALDE ; Sir Alan MEALE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Elsa PAPADIMITRIOU, Greece, EPP/CD ; Ms Marijana PETIR, Croatia, EPP/CD ; Mr Ivan POPESCU, Ukraine, SOC ; Mr Jakob PRESEČNIK, Slovenia, EPP/CD ; Mr Gabino PUCHE, Spain, EPP/CD ; Ms Luisa ROSEIRA, Portugal, EPP/CD ; Mr René ROUQUET, France, SOC ; Mr Jim SHERIDAN, United Kingdom, SOC

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.

Wind energy is proving to be a clean, inexhaustible, competitive and locally-available energy, experiencing significant growth worldwide.

For technological (stronger wind conditions), environmental and economic reasons, the construction of offshore wind farms is also beginning to expand.

Europe has an abundant supply of energy in its waters making it possible to develop the local economy and achieve energy independence.

However, it is essential to bear in mind that the sea is the site of many uses which predate the advent of wind farms, such as navigation, aggregate extraction and especially fishing.

It is for this reason that while these facilities make it possible to increase substantially the production of renewable energy, it is essential that states adopt strict measures regarding where they are sited and, more particularly, that they carry out studies on their impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and their energy efficiency.

Accordingly, the Parliamentary Assembly invites member states and non-member states to look closely at this question, especially with regard to the siting of offshore wind farms and their effects on the environment.