(21-01-11) The work being done in Cantabria (Spain) is essential to change Spanish production and energy systems towards renewable sources. Oceana appreciates the marine clean energy initiatives developed by Cantabria, Asturias and Catalonia by their contribution to reduce CO2 emissions.

    Oceana, the international marine conservation organization, applauds the Cantabrian Government for its firm support of the development of marine energies, and in particular, offshore wind.

    The Cantabrian government, recognizing the enormous potential of the sector, has carried out a series of actions that will curb CO2 emissions including, supporting research concerning floating devices, installing meteorological masts and buoys and creating the Cantabria Renewable Marine Energy Cluster.

    The energy generated by our seas and oceans can and must play a fundamental role in achieving the energy objectives established by the EU, and fighting against the effects that climate change have on our planet and, in particular, on our oceans.

    Shifting from an economy based on contaminating energies towards one based on clean and renewable energies, is critical to any efforts working to reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions.

    “Spain must take a definitive step towards marine energies and offshore wind in order to promote a consumption and energy generation model that is compatible with the fight against climate change,”declared Xavier Pastor, executive director of Oceana in Europe. “Fostering research and supporting innovation is essential to the development of these technologies in our country."

    Increasing the participation of renewable energies in the global energy mix is the only way to reduce CO2 emissions by 80-95% by 2050, thus preventing the dominance of sources based on burning fossil fuels like petroleum, the generator of serious accidents such as the one in the Gulf of Mexico or the continuous spills that have recently occurred in the platforms of Tarragona.

    “Offshore wind technology has enormous potential involving long term development,” added Pastor. “The initiatives carried out both in Cantabria and Asturias, with the completion of the SeAsturLab marine laboratory, and the Zèfir project in Catalonia, are what we need to support the development of this technology not only in Spain, but throughout Southern Europe.”.

Texto: Marta Madina