Managing the growth of offshore wind energy and marine ecosystem protection in Europe

Understanding the trade-offs involved in placing turbines in sensitive and vulnerable coastal waters, coupled with an integrated planning approach when expanding marine protected areas, can help to mitigate potential negative environmental impacts, according to the EEA briefing "Harnessing offshore wind while preserving the seas".

It notes that the installation of offshore wind farms can be combined with other measures that benefit the environment. For example, offshore wind installations can also offer space for setting up marine sanctuaries or for sustainable aquaculture operations. Offshore wind deployment can also lead to positive impacts on the local environment, such as leading to the creation of new habitats, based on artificial reefs. 

Harnessing offshore wind while preserving the seas

Offshore wind energy — a sector mitigating climate change 

The use of renewable energy sources is growing across Europe to meet the EU’s climate law target to reach climate neutrality by 2050. As such wind power has a big role to play. The development of offshore wind energy capacity is foreseen to grow to about 110 Giga Watts (GW) of installed capacity by 2030 and about 320GW by 2050. The European Green Deal and the Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy highlight how the development of renewable offshore wind can provide unique opportunities for industry growth and jobs across Europe’s coastal regions and beyond — in addition to renewable energy generation that helps shift Europe’s economy away from fossil fuel-based energy sources. 

Expanding the construction of new wind farms also comes with new challenges in terms of use of raw materials and waste. It is also important that opportunities are taken to apply circular economy principles when wind turbines are designed and reach their end of life.

A need for integrated planning 

Careful implementation is needed to avoid wind energy projects creating unforeseen environmental stress, the EEA briefing says. Coastal waters, seas and marine life face increasing pressures from climate change and numerous land and sea-based activities, making it crucial to ensure the long-term resilience and sustainability of Europe’s marine habitats. 

Like most offshore activities, various phases of offshore wind projects, including exploration, transportation, construction, operation and decommissioning, can exert a range of potential negative environmental impacts. These include habitat disturbance, degradation or loss, noise pollution, vibration and electromagnetic fields, all of which can affect various species and ultimately impact ecosystem resilience.