Connecting science and policy for the coexistence of floating offshore wind and thriving marine ecosystems
Introduction to ECOFlow
The Ecological Effects of Floating Offshore Wind programme (ECOFlow) plans to build on the success of the groundbreaking ECOWind initiative. Whilst ECOWind focuses on the sustainable expansion of fixed offshore wind alongside supporting healthy marine environments, ECOFlow will similarly deliver impactful, policy-ready science, but to specifically understand the effects of floating offshore wind on the whole marine ecosystem.
Image credit: Photo of the Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm project courtesy of Principle Power
Why does the ECOFlow
project exist?
Unlike fixed turbines, floating offshore wind turbines can be anchored in deeper waters, unlocking new marine areas with stronger and more reliable wind patterns for renewable energy generation, comprising a critical role in advancing the UK’s climate goals. Extending into deeper water brings new environmental challenges that must be addressed to ensure we are meeting the UK’s environmental targets.
The British Energy Security Strategy (BESS) has set a target to install 5GW of floating offshore wind infrastructure by 2030. Expansion beyond this is expected, and by 2050 floating offshore wind is anticipated to generate 50% of the 125GW target set by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
The ECOFlow research programme will focus on enhancing understanding of how marine ecosystems will respond to this planned large-scale expansion of floating offshore wind in UK waters. Integrating the disciplines of science and policy, the programme will address critical evidence needs of government and industry that are required to inform UK-wide decision making.
ECOFlow seeks to address three core challenges:
To understand the ecological effects of floating offshore wind infrastructure on different trophic levels across critical ecosystem drivers and within the context of climate change.
To develop new ways to monitor and assess the environmental effects of floating offshore wind infrastructure.
To utilise the robust evidence and tools developed to support the evolution of UK marine policy in adapting to the expansion of floating offshore wind, whilst safeguarding the marine environment.
The programme is now reviewing applications of project proposals from UK research institutes. Applications are now closed. Successful projects will receive funding of £6 million, from a total combined funding of £7 million, from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and The Crown Estate. Each of the funded ECOFlow projects will work closely together to align their outputs, and will proactively and continually engage with policy makers, regulators, industry, and decision makers.
Image credit: Photo of the Kincardine Offshore Wind Farm project courtesy of Principle Power
Updated Offshore Policy & Delivery Landscape now available
Partner Testimonials
“Floating offshore wind offers huge potential for the UK in terms of energy generation but it is essential that it is delivered in a sustainable way that takes into account the entire marine ecosystem. This will only be achieved by ensuring we have the right data and evidence base to support decision making at all levels. That’s why we’re partnering with NERC and contributing our knowledge of the sector and £2 million to the ECOFlow programme, so much-needed analysis can be undertaken to better understand the UK’s complex marine environment and maximise the benefits of this novel technology.”
— Mandy King, Programme Manager for the Offshore Wind Evidence and Change Programme at The Crown Estate
“As we scale up renewable energy production, it is essential that this doesn’t negatively impact marine biodiversity. We believe floating offshore wind infrastructure should be implemented without impacting marine biodiversity, and ECOFlow has been strategically designed to deliver the science needed to achieve this."
— Professor Dickon Howell, ECOWind and ECOFlow Champion
