Reaching the EU’s offshore wind and grid ambitions should be viewed as an opportunity to create a new normal where biodiversity protection and restoration is pursued side-by-side with infrastructure deployment. But how do we turn these ambitions into tangible actions?

The Renewables Grid Initiative, WindEurope, and the Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature (OCEaN) will address this question at our conference ‘Strong Winds, Thriving Seas’ and warmly invite you to join us! Throughout the day, we’ll spotlight leading experts working on a nature- and people-positive offshore energy transition and allow participants to explore a solutions-oriented fair, hear priorities from the next generation of European decision makers, and pose their own policy asks. All of this will be complemented by highlights from OCEaN’s work across European sea basins. Since 2020, OCEaN’s diverse Members – representing wind developers, transmission system operators, and NGOs across two Coalitions in the Mediterranean and North and Baltic Seas – have been engaged in key dialogues to advance offshore wind and nature objectives in harmony.  

We invite you to join this collaborative discussion and register for our unmissable event on 30 October in Brussels!

Check out our speakers and full agenda below.

Register here for the Conference

Download the Agenda

Agenda

9:30 | Check-in & coffee

10:00 | Welcome

• Cristina Simioli, Director – Offshore Energy and Nature, Renewables Grid Initiative

10:10 | Inspiring Headliner

A wave of optimism for addressing the climate and biodiversity crises side-by-side

• Huub den Rooijen CBE, Marine Advisor, 3blue

10:30 | Expert Panel

Achieving a nature- and people-positive offshore energy future

Moderation: Cristina Simioli, Director – Offshore Energy and Nature, Renewables Grid Initiative

• Ariel Brunner, Regional Director, BirdLife Europe and Central Asia
• Emma Hospes, Head of Strategic Environment & Permitting and Biodiversity Programme, Ørsted
• Dr. Karsten Sach, Chair of International Advisory Board, GINGR
• Dr. Josien Steenbergen, Program Manager Offshore Wind Farms, Wageningen Marine Research
  

11:30 | Tour of Offshore Energy and Nature Fair

Approximately 20 organisations will showcase their practices on how nature can be protected, enhanced or restored in tandem with offshore wind and grid expansion in a dedicated area within the event.

Sail through a sea of solutions with presentations from MSP GREEN, EMODnet, Fugro, Kattegat West Baltic Bat Project, The Rich North Sea program, EU SCORES, DG MARE multi-use compendium, ECOncrete, and more!

13:00 | Lunch

14:10 | Keynote

Leadership to drive action for nature-friendly offshore wind and grids

• Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister for Energy of Belgium

14:20 | Expert Panel

Navigating a path to 2030 – centering nature alongside offshore wind ambitions in European political agendas

Moderation: Antonella Battaglini, CEO, Renewables Grid Initiative

• Giles Dickson, CEO, WindEurope
• Ester Asin Martinez, Director, WWF European Policy Office
• Olivier Feix, Head of Strategy/Corporate Development, Elia/50Hertz
• Alwyn de Jong, Head of Corporate Affairs, Netherlands & Northern Europe, SSE Renewables,
• Maria Jimenez, Energy Coord. Counsellor, Spanish Permanent Representation to the EU
  
• Member of European Parliament and European Commission representative – TBC

15:30 | Closing Panel

Celebrating our achievements – the role of OCEaN in facilitating common ground on nature-friendly offshore wind and grid deployment

Moderation: Cristina Simioli, Director – Offshore Energy and Nature, Renewables Grid Initiative

• Saskia Jaarsma, Head of Offshore Development, Large Projects Offshore, TenneT
• Dr. Eva Julius-Philipp, Director Environment & Sustainability Unit BA Wind, Vattenfall
• Ewout van Galen, Director, The North Sea Foundation
• Nailia Dindarova, Chief Market Development Officer, BlueFloat Energy
• Mauro Randone, Regional Projects Manager, WWF Mediterranean Marine Initiative

16:15 | Wrap-up & Outlook

16:30 | Networking Cocktails