One of Europe's most senior politicians is visiting Bristol today on a renewable energy fact-finding tour.

EU Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs will visit the Severn Estuary and will be briefed on a range of proposals designed to generate green energy from the Severn's tides. He will also visit Avonmouth Docks Wind Park - the first wind turbines to be built in Bristol.

The visit will also provide an opportunity for the region to feedback to Commissioner Piebalgs on future EU energy policy. This includes the target set by the EU to deliver 20% of its energy via renewables by 2020.

The Commissioner will be accompanied by senior representatives from the South West RDA and Graham Watson, South West of England Member of the European Parliament (MEP).


He will also meet representatives from RegenSW, Bristol City Council, The Bristol Port Company, The Welsh Office, The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, Government Office South West, North Somerset Council, Somerset County Council, Natural England and the Environment Agency.

Commissioner Piebalgs, who was invited to the region by Graham Watson, MEP, said: "I have heard some excellent things about the development of renewable energy in this part of the UK, and I am looking forward to learning more about how this region is developing this important sector."

Claire Gibson, Director of Planning, Transport and the Environment from the South West RDA, which is committed to leading the region towards a low-carbon economy, said: "The EU Energy Commissioner's visit is a great opportunity for the South West to demonstrate how it is an internationally important centre of excellence for renewable energy with huge potential for future growth.

"Renewable energy is not only vital for the future of a low-carbon economy but also a great economic opportunity. We are blessed with abundant natural resources in the South West that make us well placed to make use of our own indigenous sources of energy."

The South West's renewable energy sector is now worth £215 million a year to the regional economy and has seen a massive 37% year-on-year growth in employment over the last 3 years.

(CD/JM)