OREIN research project

The Offshore Renewable Energy Impact Network (OREIN) has been established as a Knowledge Exchange Project with assistance from the Welsh Assembly Government through the Academic Expertise for Business (A4B) Scheme. OREIN brings together specialists from a range of disciplines to share and develop knowledge regarding the impact of the development of offshore renewable energy on the wider economic, environmental, social and cultural fabric of the Welsh coastline. From this shared knowledge opportunities to influence policy, attract research funding and  develop commercial consultancy to sustain the network in the long term will be identified.

The Network is led by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, in partnership with Bangor University, Pembrokeshire College and Swansea Metropolitan University. OREIN will develop the potential for HEI’s to provide WAG and industry with the best information to manage and protect the historic coastal and marine environment, to ensure that the diverse needs of different sectors of the economy are met, to promote Wales’ emerging role as a provider of offshore renewable energy, and to better understand and build public consent for the appropriate mitigation actions to environmental change in the most effective and practical ways. In doing so, it will strengthen the evidence base for a range of different national policies and legislation.

OREIN will be distinctive in its principal concern which will be to address and advise upon the uncertainties that surround the cultural, economic and environmental impacts of our responses to climate change through the development of offshore renewable energy, rather than of climate change itself. Over eighteen months, the network will, through a combination of research (e.g. Desk Based Research, Consultation and Policy Review), engagement (e.g. Needs-based analysis, stakeholder engagement and networking) and review (e.g. Integrated Research Phase and Policy Review), seek to identify needs and opportunities for research and/or commercial activity in the sphere of marine and coastal cultural heritage where a multi-disciplinary network drawing on the expertise within Welsh HEI’s can make a significant contribution.

Download the presentation given by ORIEN at the MEP working group meeting here.

For more information contact 

Nigel Nayling, Ysgol Archaeoleg, Hanes ac Anthropoleg, Pryfisgol Cymru Y Drindod Dewi Sant, Ceredigion SA48 7ED

Ffon: 01570 424904