Offshore Wind Fund Steering Group

Terms of Reference

1. To bring together relevant expertise to discuss and prioritise the environmental research needs for the benefit of UK offshore wind development.
2. To develop and implement a programme of short to medium term generic scientific research and supporting studies that will help inform the current and future development of the offshore wind industry in the UK. (The scope of the research programme to include desk top studies, issues clarification, baseline studies and regional studies that are generic but may involve a site-based case study approach.)
3. To ensure that if any site-based studies are undertaken within the research programme they will be applicable to the industry as a whole and not just the specific site.
4. To identify research appropriate to the development of monitoring tools and best practice techniques.
5. To oversee the administration of the research programme, funding arrangements  and the award of research contracts.
6. To establish an internet based information system for access to offshore windfarm EIAs and supporting studies, and to encourage the sharing of information and data.
7. To ensure that the programme of research, progress reports and results are accessible to stakeholders (this could be through the BWEA, but not exclusively).
8. To exchange knowledge and information relating to similar initiatives so as to avoid duplication and establish links with other relevant research programmes at national and European level.
9. To identify other sources of funding available for research and supporting studies.