Can large-scale expansion of off-shore wind power be ecologically sustainable? In previous studies, AquaBiota has found that the impact can vary greatly depending on where wind farms are built, what technology is used, and what marine organisms are in the vicinity.
In the 3 year project Marin MedVind – Basis for Large Scale Sustainable Windpower at Sea, we will synthesise information on how affected species and habitats are affected in order to be able to simulate ecological effects for different expansion and construction alternatives based on suitable locations for wind power development. A synthesis and analysis of relevant legislation as well as practices related to the environmental impact of offshore wind power applicable to planning and licensing will be performed and related to the mapping of species and habitats. This will be a scientifically well-founded material that is intended to be applicable for both physical planning, license applications and their assessment. The maps will cover all of Sweden’s eastern and southern waters.
The project is a collaboration between AquaBiota Water Research and Uppsala University. It is funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, and is a part of the research programme Vindval.
The first report published in the project is called Rättsliga förutsättningar för havsbaserad vindkraft (Legal conditions for offshore wind power). It is a compilation of the legal conditions from a Swedish perspective but also with several international comparisons. The compilation has been updated continuously during the project’s three years and was published in Feb 2022.
Malafry, M. & Öhman, M. C. (2022), Rättsliga förutsättningar för havsbaserad vindkraft. Naturvårdsverket Vindval Rapport 7028
