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NIRAS joins new industry project aimed at driving nature inclusivity in offshore wind farm design
NIRAS is part of a new Joint Industry Project (JIP) launched today, which aims to explore and redefine what it means to create offshore wind farms that positively impact natural ecosystems throughout their lifecycle.
November 19, 2024
A comprehensive, lifecycle approach
The JIP will explore nature inclusivity at every phase of wind farm development, from initial planning and construction to decommissioning, considering the full scope of a wind farm – from offshore turbines to onshore substations. By integrating innovative environmental design and operational practices, the project seeks to make positive contributions to biodiversity, supporting marine and coastal ecosystems throughout a project’s lifespan.
Offshore wind engineering consultancy and instigator of the JIP, Wood Thilsted, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with pioneering companies Arup, COWI and NIRAS to launch the project.
“It’s no longer enough to merely minimise harm; we must move towards creating measurable, positive impacts on biodiversity and natural systems. This project is a crucial step toward integrating regenerative principles into offshore wind farm design,” said Danny Bonnett.
Positive real world impacts for nature
Apart from signing the MoU, NIRAS has taken part in the discussions leading to the JIP.
“We are seeing rapid development in the concept of biodiversity net gain in the marine environment as the need to support nature recovery is more widely recognised,” said Ian Gloyne-Phillips, Head of Marine Environment, NIRAS UK.
“This is a new area and it will benefit greatly from a common understanding of what nature inclusive design means, how we define and measure it, what good practice looks like and how it can contribute to overall net gain. Once the conceptual framework is established I very much hope that we will then see a range of tangible solutions - ideas that can be progressed as options for offshore wind projects to have positive real world impacts for nature.”
"As well as the race to net zero, there’s an equally pressing need for nature recovery and ecosystem restoration."
Danny Bonnett, Wood Thilsted’s Director of Sustainability and Chair of the JIP.
"We hope that this JIP will provide a collaborative network to take on the challenge of developing nature inclusive solutions in offshore wind park design."
Thor Ugelvig Petersen, Vice President, Offshore Wind, NIRAS.
Environmental impact meets business opportunity
The need to address the twin challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss is increasingly influencing regulatory frameworks and project standards. For instance, recent regulatory shifts in the Netherlands highlights the environmental performance in project evaluations, while Denmark is encouraging practices that go beyond simply reducing negative impacts. In the UK, onshore Biodiversity Net Gain regulations are now in effect, with similar standards anticipated for marine environments in future Allocation Rounds.
From mitigation to net gain
“Currently, we spend a lot of our time thinking about how to avoid or reduce negative impacts associated with offshore wind,” said Justine Saunders, Technical Director, Biodiversity, NIRAS UK.
“This mitigation approach will not disappear but companies also have responsibilities to consider investments in biodiversity opportunities as well. Pursuing positive measures for nature within all aspects of wind farm design and life cycle, where appropriate, helps to contribute to global goals for Nature Positive. If we can ultimately help to deliver net gain then it will be good news for nature, the renewable energy transition and of course our clients.”
A milestone in the renewable energy transition
“NIRAS has the distinction of having worked on the world’s very first offshore wind farm in 1991, Vindeby in Denmark, with continuous involvement in the development of the sector since then," said Thor Ugelvig Petersen and continued:
"This JIP perfectly reflects our ambition to support the renewable energy transition – GREENsition, as we call it – through innovation and collaboration, drawing on our multi-disciplinary expertise within environmental and engineering consultancy services. By leveraging these combined capabilities, we aim to realise the full potential of offshore wind while integrating nature-inclusive solutions.”
Broadening collaboration
The JIP will keep up-to-date on related developments, and as collaboration broadens it will enhance the impact and innovation potential of this pioneering project.
“The strength of this initiative lies in collective insight and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Tackling the twin challenges of climate and nature loss is a generational challenge that demands a globally coordinated response,” concluded Danny Bonnett. “The more expertise we bring to the table, the stronger our solutions will be.”
If you would like to know more about the JIP, or NIRAS and it’s work around renewable energy transition, email Ian Gloyne-Phillips or Justine Saunders.
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