The Institute for European Studies at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel kindly invites you to a Policy Forum on Tuesday 16 September 2014, 12:00h-14:00h, entitled "Blue Energy and Maritime Spatial Planning: opportunities and challenges".In its communication released the 20th of January 2014 on "Blue Energy - Action needed to deliver on the potential of ocean energy in European seas and oceans by 2020 and beyond", the Commission highlighted that the development of ocean renewables provides the opportunity to contribute to employment, innovation, climate and energy objectives. However, it also pointed out various challenges remaining such as the technology costs, the lack of certainty in the EU's grid planning process or the need to improve the understanding of the environmental impacts of these technologies. Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is one of the tools to face these challenges and the adoption of the new Directive for MSP should play an important role for the development of Blue Energy and other industries as well as the coexistence of the different activities that can take place in the Sea.The policy forum will take place from 12:00 - 14:00 at the premises of the Institute for European Studies. Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.