Nordic Energy Research invites all interested parties to submit an offer for the tender: “Examples to Accommodate Biodiversity in Nordic Offshore Wind Projects”.

The purpose of the study is to explore how Nordic offshore wind projects can avoid, reduce, or compensate for biodiversity impacts, and create ecosystem benefits. 

Highlighting best practice
In the coming years, the Nordics will see a significant increase in the number and size of offshore wind farms. Yet, as demand for renewable energy grows, so too will pressures on the region’s natural resources. The convergence of societal needs requires new processes for stakeholder dialogue and integrated decision support, to balance these ambitions.

The consulting team that wins the tender will be tasked with preparing a catalogue of examples, illustrating offshore wind projects that succeed at accommodating biodiversity in the Nordic region and neighbour countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the Baltics.

Nordic value
Commercial-scale offshore wind farms are already operating in Nordic waters, and large new projects are being announced. As the industry grows, developers must understand how to best involve different stakeholders and gather local knowledge, for sound planning.

Nordic biodiversity at risk includes seabirds, migratory shore and landbirds, waterfowl, bats, porpoises, turtles, fish, and a variety of offshore and coastal habitats, such as sandbanks, seagrasses, marshes, oyster beds and wetlands. Possible impacts include collision and injury, displacement, barrier effects, habitat loss, and indirect ecosystem effects.

However, gathering local knowledge to optimise planning and site selection, long-term monitoring programmes, careful scheduling of operations, and accounting for upstream activities can help to manage these impacts, and may have advantages, such as the establishment of ‘no fishing zones’ or artificial reefs where marine species can thrive.

Nordic Energy Research is acting as the contracting partner on behalf of the Nordic Committee of Senior Officials for Energy Policies.

Submission deadline is April 19, at 13.00 CET.

Read more: “Examples to Accommodate Biodiversity in Nordic Offshore Wind Projects”