Offshore wind engineering consultancy Wood Thilsted has signed a memorandum of understanding ( MoU ) with multiple companies and research institutions for the development of offshore wind farms. This agreement kicks off a Joint Industrial Project (JIP) that seeks to integrate nature-based regenerative principles at every stage of the life cycle of all offshore wind farms.
Integrating nature into offshore wind farms
There is currently a steady transition in renewable energy towards renewable sources such as offshore wind, which is important for mitigating climate change. However, this progress must not compromise natural ecosystems. According to Danny Bonnett, Wood Thilsted’s sustainability director and JIP chairman, ” we must move towards positive and measurable impacts on biodiversity, beyond minimising damage .”
The project aims to design wind farms that benefit marine and coastal ecosystems, applying practices from initial planning to the decommissioning of the facilities. The JIP brings together actors from the offshore wind energy value chain, including companies such as Arup , COWI and NIRAS . This interdisciplinary approach seeks to establish standard practices that balance clean energy generation with the preservation of biodiversity.
Some countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are adopting regulations that promote net biodiversity gain in infrastructure projects, highlighting the need for innovative solutions such as those proposed by this project.
In addition to contributing to the restoration of nature, the JIP offers strategic advantages for its participants. Simon Turpin, project manager, underlined the following aspect: ” This exchange of knowledge allows participants to access progressive strategies that will strengthen their projects in an increasingly demanding market .”
While the JIP will not set specific biodiversity metrics, it will maintain close collaboration with global initiatives to ensure consistency with emerging standards. Certified B Corp Woodstock continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a responsible business in the renewable industry.
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Source: Wood Thilsted
Photo: Shutterstock
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