Ecowende, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco, has embarked on an ambitious ecological journey in partnership with Waardenburg Ecology, WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services, and Seamarco. Their mission: to develop an ecological program for the Hollandse Kust (west) lot VI offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
This groundbreaking collaboration places ecology at the forefront of every stage, from preparation and construction to operation. Ecowende proudly proclaims that this venture will create the world's first offshore wind farm designed to exist in harmony with nature.
The announcement was made during the seventh Conference on Wind Energy and Wildlife Impacts (CWW), hosted in Croatia. Waardenburg Ecology will spearhead the effort, diligently monitoring and studying biodiversity development at the wind farm on behalf of Ecowende.
Jeroen Kwakkel, a marine ecology consultant and project manager at Waardenburg Ecology, commented, “We will leverage over 45 years of knowledge about the North Sea ecosystem to address knowledge gaps in collaboration with our partners. Our initial focus will be on assessing the current state of the planning area and studying the impact on nature during the wind farm's construction.”
Starting in 2025, a comprehensive 20-year monitoring program will track the evolution of both sea and underwater ecosystems, with particular intensity during the initial seven years.
Hermione van Zutphen, ecology project manager at Ecowende, emphasized the collective goal: “Together, we intend to set a new ecological standard for wind farms in the North Sea. This standard should align with the Dutch government's offshore wind ambitions while leaving a net positive impact on nature.”
She stressed the need for an extensive research and monitoring program, built on the measures implemented at the wind farm, to demonstrate their effectiveness and fill knowledge gaps. “Waardenburg Ecology and its partners are unparalleled in their expertise on this subject,” she added.
This collaborative endeavor marks a significant step toward a sustainable future for offshore wind energy, where the delicate balance of nature is considered a priority in clean energy development.
