10 April 2012
Renewables, erosion and planning to be discussed at coastal conference
The potential for offshore wind power generation in the Firth of Tay is among the subjects to be discussed at the Tay Estuary Forum's Annual Conference this Friday.
The TEF is a voluntary local coastal partnership, hosted by the University of Dundee, covering an area from the River North Esk to Fife Ness, including the Tay Estuary to Scone. It is part of a wider, national network of Scottish coastal partnerships, helping to deliver integrated coastal zone management.
The TEF Annual Conference acts as a platform for discussion on current issues affecting the Tay Estuary and surrounding coast. The 2012 conference, taking place at the West Park Centre on Friday, 13th April, will bring together representatives of a wide range of both statutory and voluntary organisations, academics and other stakeholders.
Delegates will hear presentations on a variety of topics relevant to this year's theme, 'Dynamic Coasts'. These include offshore renewables, coastal erosion, marine planning, preservation of coastal archaeological sites, sea level change, sustainable coastal development, catchment management and repair works to the Angus coast path.
Professor Rob Duck, Dean of the School of the Environment at the University and Chair of the TEF, said, "This year, the Tay Estuary Forum is proud to be celebrating its 15th year of working to promote the wise and sustainable use of the Tay Estuary and adjacent coastline.
"It is important for us to communicate regularly with coastal stakeholders, user groups and the general public on a variety of coastal and marine issues and holding the Annual Conference is one of the ways in which we do this. The issues surrounding our coastal regions affect us all, and we are always looking to engage with as many people and groups as possible."
One of the conference presentations will provide an update on the Scottish Territorial Waters Offshore Wind Programme, including plans to develop the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm in the outer Firth of Tay region .
The proposed site is located approximately 15-22 km to the east of the Angus coastline and is anticipated to consist of approximately 180 wind turbines covering an area of about 150 km2 with an estimated installed capacity of 1000 MW. An update will be provided on the environmental impact assessment and consenting programme and highlight key issues that have been identified to date.
The TEF, along with other Scottish Local Coastal Partnerships have recently carried out interviews with coastal stakeholders assessing the nature, extent and intensity of interactions between different sectors/user groups operating along their local coastlines. An update on the TEF study will also be provided at the conference.
'Dynamic Coasts', the Tay Estuary Forum Annual Conference 2012 takes place at the West Park Centre, Dundee, on Friday, 13th April. Registration is essential, and booking forms and programme can be downloaded from the TEF website: www.dundee.ac.uk/crsem/TEF/
More information is available by contacting Project Officer Laura Booth on 01382 384933, or by emailing TayEstuaryForum@dundee.ac.uk.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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