On 30th November 2008 COWRIE and the BWEA held an Away Day for offshore windfarm stakeholders to discuss the issues surrounding the consent of a project as well as providing the opportunity to raise concerns with the industry.

The day began on Gravesend Pier where representatives from JNCC, Nautilus UK, Kent and East Sussex Fisheries Commission, Vattenfall Wind Power and many more (see website for list of delegates) met aboard the Princess Pocahontas and set sail for Kentish Flats windfarm three hours away. 

During the trip presentations were given by Carolyn Heeps, Company Secretary and Trustee of COWRIE; Peter Madigan, Offshore Renewables Development Manager at BWEA; Duncan Ayling, Head of Offshore at BWEA; and Steve Bellew, MD of Offshore Environmental Solutions Ltd and acting representative for Vattenfall Wind Power. The presentations can be downloaded in full on the website. 

The presentations prompted much discussion amongst the group of 30 stakeholders, as to the engineering and logistical difficulties of building and operating a windfarm at sea, as well as some of the consenting and environmental issues. 

The event not only gave organisations and individuals the opportunity to visit and discuss issues in the context of a working windfarm but it also provided an excellent networking opportunity for those with differing interests in offshore wind to meet and exchange knowledge and experiences. 

On reaching Kentish Flats delegates were delighted when the skipper took  the boat  close to the turbines enabling everyone to get lots of photographs . Some even spotted  a few seals playing among the windfarm. The weather turned suddenly as the Princess Pocahontas began its long journey back to Gravesend, During the afternoon we took the opportunity to have another very lively discussion and E-Bloc interviewed delegates  for the website 

Due to the success of the Stakeholder Away Day and the positive feedback that COWRIE received from those that attended, COWRIE is planning to hold future similar events with the BWEA to bring together more stakeholders to improve cooperation between organisations involved in offshore wind.