RGI-WindEurope-OCEaN Conference: Speeding up Nature Positive Offshore Energy Infrastructure Deployment

Introduction

The combined crises of climate change, biodiversity, and energy security require an acceleration of renewable energy and electricity grids deployment, with offshore wind playing an increasingly relevant contribution in reaching renewable energy targets. However, the degraded state of our marine ecosystems requires due consideration: offshore wind energy projects and connecting grid infrastructure, when properly planned and deployed, can and should instrumentally contribute to the restoration of our seas and become nature positive. With this in mind, the conference kick-started discussions on reconciling potential conflicts between nature and energy infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on reducing the risk of delays, utilisation of careful and comprehensive planning and identifying solutions which need to be deployed at scale by permitting authorities and project developers alike as part of the timely achievement of EU’s renewable energy and nature restoration goals.

Participants and speakers discussed joint solutions for implementing, financing, and disseminating practices on nature positive offshore energy and grid infrastructure throughout the day