The UK government today (3rd December) annouced the introduction of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill as part of the coming year's legislative agenda. The new bill will, if passed into law, provide the marine energy sector in the UK with some real benefits, a move which was broadly welcomed by the BWEA, the trade association covering wind and tidal energy in the UK. However, the association cautioned that renewable energy interests must be protected in final legislation.

Maria McCaffery MBE, Chief Executive of the BWEA: "The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is a pioneering piece of legislation, but we must ensure that it allows for the expansion of marine renewable energy, including offshore wind, wave and tidal.”

While BWEA recognises the scope and ambition of the Government’s long awaited Marine Bill, it has also raised 4 issues:

• the timetable of the Bill must be complementary with the Round 3 offshore wind energy delivery process;
• the Marine Management Organisation must be fit for the purpose: well resourced and with sustainable development clearly defined within its remit;
• Marine Policy Statements must explicitly include renewable energy targets.
• The new network of Marine Conservation Zones should be designated by the new MMO, as is proposed in the legislation being considered in Scotland. The designation process must consider the impact on all future use in terms of renewable energy developments.

"The Marine and Coastal Access Bill has been long time coming. We will be the first country in the world to have such legislation. We must get it right,” added McCaffery. "It would be a pyrrhic victory if short term conservation undermined long term sustainability and our ability to tackle climate change".

Also of interest to the renewables sector was the Education and Skills Bill, particularly the provisions to create a new National Apprenticeships Service and secure a demand-led adult skills system, driven by learners and employers. The industry hopes the Bill will help alleviate skills shortages in the renewable energy sector.