Harnessing Offshore Wind Energy: Legal Challenges and Policy Conundrums in the European Union

Contemporary trends in European offshore wind power are explored, including: the status of the industry and its future prospects for growth; EU treaty and legislative obligations; as well as regulatory and policy issues pertaining to energy and climate change objectives. Special mention is made of EU case law on national renewable energy support schemes, along with the European Directive on maritime spatial planning; focusing on the need for further EU law reform and Member State legislative action to promote the regionalisation of the sector and the establishment of a new Energy Union.