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 Ecological Effects of Floating Offshore Wind research programme (ECOFlow) has confirmed funding for two pioneering projects. Overall funding for the programme is £7 million provided by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and The Crown Estate through its Offshore Wind Evidence and Change programme.
Together, these projects will investigate the ecological effects associated with FLOW infrastructure in deeper offshore waters and will use their findings to inform marine policy and management.
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 has the potential to transform renewable energy generation in the UK by unlocking new areas of the seabed, driving us towards our national clean energy and net zero targets. Our partnership with NERC on the ECOFlow programme is pivotal in supporting our collaborative work to protect the marine ecosystem and proactively address environmental challenges. Through innovative technology and development of a world-leading data and evidence base, we are creating greater opportunity to find the balance between renewable energy development and marine conservation”
— Rachael Mills, Programme Lead 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
