From Pam Newby, Exeter 383654, October 30,2008

Issued on behalf of the Devon Maritime Forum

The complex issues surrounding offshore wind energy will be debated at the autumn meeting of the Devon Maritime Forum.

By 2020 the Government aspires to have 20% of all energy produced in the UK generated from renewable sources. Offshore wind energy may play an important role in achieving this ambitious target.

This could mean an impact on the marine environment, but it could produce positive benefits for coastal communities and economies. Balancing these different needs and concerns will be important as plans take shape.

These issues will be debated by members of the Devon Maritime Forum at its meeting at Lympstone Barracks on Wednesday, November 5. The event has been sponsored by Royal Haskoning, a consultancy that specialises in marine and coastal environmental assessment.

Attendance at meetings of the Forum is restricted to members. Anyone interested in joining this key strategic coastal partnership should contact the Co-ordinator Jim Masters on 01392 383231 or email jim.masters@devon.gov.uk.

"The Forum has been set up for people, organisations and businesses with an interest in marine and coastal issues to come together to debate, discuss and find solutions to problems and issues associated with one of our most prized assets - the sea," said Jim. "The Forum and its members have proved to be some of the most successful and active 'stakeholders' in the country, reflecting the great importance that the coast and seas play in our lives as a county and region.

"The Forum acts a focus for such debates, and offers a chance for a wide cross-section of our coastal custodians and businesses to come together in a spirit of co-operation for the benefit of everyone. The Forum is a young and dynamic organisation and will also be exploring how it can best develop in the near future in order to ensure it maximises any opportunities to work for the good of our coastal communities and environments."

Note to Editors:

For more information contact Jim Masters on 01392 383231 or email jim.masters@devon.gov.uk