Offshore Wind Power Policy Brief - Examining UK's Energy Strategy

This policy brief examines the UK's offshore wind power industry, focusing on the challenges it faces and the policy options available to address them. The brief explores the current support mechanisms in place and suggests additional measures to support the industry's growth. It delves into the theoretical underpinnings of energy policy, particularly concerning climate change, and applies these concepts to the UK context. The report provides a balanced analysis, presenting both sides of the arguments and supporting the analysis with factual information. The brief also considers the quality of research, the structure, and the clarity of the arguments. This analysis is vital for policymakers, industry leaders, and anyone interested in the future of renewable energy in the UK. The report is designed to inform and provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand, offering insights into the current state and future trajectory of offshore wind power.

Policy Brief
A 2000 word policy brief that provides:
• a concise summary of a particular issue,
• the policy options to deal with it, and
• some recommendations on the best option.
1. Audience
A policy maker such as a government minister, the CEO of an
environmental NGO, a journalist writing a piece on climate change, a
CEO trying to understand what what are the developments in a specific
area so as to be able to decide how that may affect her company
(please note, that you are not expected to say how the policy
developments may affect a specific company, only what are the
developments behind that policy).
2. Theme
Renewable Energy (wind power)
The policy brief should answer this question: The UK is planning to have
10.5 MW offshore wind capacity by 2020. What are the key
challenges faced by the offshore wind industry in the UK, what is
the support it currently receives and what else could be done to
address the existing challenges?
Assessment rationale
Show an awareness of relevant theoretical approaches, policy literature
and practical policy debates.
6. Assessment criteria

The brief should demonstrate that students have achieved a critical
understanding of the underpinnings of energy policy as far as climate
change is concerned, are able to engage convincingly on practical
debates on energy strategy and sustainability identifying the key
components of policy issues and, can present balanced findings in the
form of rigorous policy briefs.
The marking of the brief will be based on:
• The degree of understanding of the economic theory behind the
various energy policies,
• The application of the theory to the case under examination,
• The quality of critical analysis: how well both sides of the questions
are presented, and the
quality of the argument, including relevance and accuracy of
factual information,
• The level of understanding of the issues pertaining to the case
under examination,
• Quality of the research– the range, quality and relevance of
academic and factual sources,
• The structure and clarity of the brief, including logical development,
clear introduction and
conclusion
The marking of the podcast will be based on
• Length, sound quality and clarity of argument
• The quality of the content, in terms of broad coverage of the
issue, synthesis, evidence of
critical thinking and accuracy of facts.

• Evidence of creativity and efforts to make the podcast
interesting and engaging for a non-
technical audience.