Connecting science and policy for the coexistence of floating offshore wind and thriving marine ecosystems
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.
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.
HMC supported NERC and the Crown Estate in the development of a Partnership and Opportunity Programme to understand the Ecological Consequences of Offshore...
As Programme Directors for INSITE since 2018, Howell Marine Consulting (HMC) have played a central role in defining and managing the impact pathways for this body of research. HMC established the programme’s governance, coordinated engagement across research institutes and operators, and, crucially, embedded impact planning into every stage, from commissioning and research design through to synthesis, communication, and legacy.