Van Oord and Ecowende have implemented innovative solutions at the Hollandse Kust West wind farm with the aim of boosting biodiversity in the North Sea. By installing tree reefs and oyster farms, they aim to improve underwater ecosystems in a sustainable way.
Van Oord and Ecowende’s project improves marine life
Tree reefs are biodegradable structures made from discarded fruit trees, which provide an ideal habitat for benthic species and fish . This technology, developed by the Royal Netherlands Institute for Marine Research ( NIOZ ), has proven its effectiveness in previous pilot projects in the Wadden Sea.
The trees used come from the Dutch fruit industry and, instead of being discarded after their production declines, they are reused to form natural reefs. Van Oord plans to install approximately 1,000 of these reefs by 2026 at various strategic points in the wind farm.
In addition, both companies are promoting the installation of oyster centres , structures designed to encourage larval dispersal and strengthen oyster populations in the North Sea. This technique was developed in collaboration with Waardenburg Ecology and will improve connectivity between habitats and stimulate the restoration of oyster reefs.
The oyster farms will be located at cable junctions within the wind farm, ensuring efficient distribution of larvae to previously isolated areas, and are scheduled to be implemented in 2026 and 2027.
The Hollandse Kust West wind farm , located 53 km off the Dutch coast, has an operating capacity of 760 megawatts and is a benchmark in the integration of renewable energy with marine conservation. Ecowende and Van Oord are committed to developing sustainable models that minimise environmental impact and maximise ecological benefits.
To measure the impact of these initiatives, Waardenburg Ecology will conduct detailed monitoring of the effects of tree reefs and oyster farms on local biodiversity. The results will be shared with the scientific community and the offshore wind energy sector to encourage new conservation strategies.
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Source and photos: Van Oord
