Minimal chemical pollution, increased offshore wind farms and energy production sustainability

Abstract

Minimal chemical pollution, increased offshore wind farms and energy production sustainability Coordinator of the Anemoi project, Bavo De Witte (ILVO), discusses the path to minimal chemical pollution and increasing the sustainability of offshore wind energy. Offshore wind energy production is a relatively sustainable yet fast-growing industry, contributing to the UN development goals on green energy and climate actions. Europe’s total offshore wind power capacity as of September 2023 is 32 GW (1), only 20% of the European target to produce >150 GW by 2030. The vast increase in offshore energy production urged different European countries to monitor the potential effects of offshore wind farms (OWFs) on the marine ecosystem, including the impact of underwater noise, the introduction of novel habitats, and the exclusion of fisheries. However, the potential risk of chemical emissions by OWF structures remains largely unknown though estimated to be small.