OCEaN encourages full use of ecological criteria for offshore wind farm auctions

Reconciliation between renewable energy infrastructure and nature is not only possible, but also needed in order to promote a sustainable energy transition. Including non-price ecological criteria within offshore wind auctioning processes is an opportunity to develop solutions which can provide benefits for nature and the climate, which is at the core of OCEaN’s objectives. These criteria are important to incentivise better environmental performance of offshore wind projects, boost innovation, minimise impacts on nature, and contribute to the enhancement of marine ecosystems.

Offshore wind energy will play a major role in the decarbonisation of the European energy system, with ambitious 2050 targets from Member States. Including such non-price ecological criteria within auctioning processes will enable this infrastructure to be built in a sustainable manner, support nature restoration goals and help enhance biodiversity.

In support of the statement, Antonella Battaglini, CEO of RGI, believes that it is both possible and needed to align offshore wind infrastructure with nature protection, saying:

“Ecological non-price criteria in offshore wind farm auctions is a key opportunity to speed up renewable energy deployment, address the biodiversity crisis, fight climate change, and sustain European industries. Non-price ecological criteria should be applied to all auctioning, implemented transparently, and monitored against agreed standards. The collaborative work within OCEaN is instrumental in achieving this.”

Read the full Press Release with quotes from WindEurope and The North Sea Foundation below!