Blue energy and marine spatial planning in Southern Europe

Abstract

The 2050 target of the European Union to decarbonize the economy by 80–90% will undoubtedly see marine renewable energies playing a key role. The deployment of offshore facilities within the framework of Blue Growth creates tension as competition for other uses of the sea intensifies as economic exploitation of marine resources increases. Marine spatial planning (MSP) is being applied in different Member States, mainly in the North Sea basin, as a way of easing tensions while promoting blue energy. The southernmost marine areas of the continent also have considerable energy potential that, as yet, has not been exploited due to the limitations imposed by a narrow and steep continental shelf, not to mention legal and administrative barriers. MSP processes currently being developed by the application of Directive 2014/89/EU present an opportunity to resolve these conflicts and promote sustainable use of MRE sources in southern Europe. This paper analyzes the marine spatial planning process of five southern European countries - Spain, Greece, Italy, Malta and Portugal - with the aim of determining the degree to which they are incorporating blue energy policies.