OCEaN - Mediterranean Sea
The Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature – Mediterranean Sea (Med OCEaN) officially launched 28 September 2023. Med OCEaN brings together NGOs, wind industry and transmission system operators (TSOs) from across the Mediterranean basin and adjacent Atlantic waters. The Coalition aims to cooperate on the sustainable deployment of offshore wind and grid, while safeguarding nature and healthy marine ecosystems in the region. Over 15 founding Members have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and committed to working together.
The Mediterranean basin is recognised as a biodiversity hotspot, representing 4 to 18% of the world’s marine biodiversity, with an estimated 30% of species endemic to this region. The sea basin is also severely impacted by human activities such as overexploitation of natural resources, various types of pollution, and climate change.
The work of Med OCEaN will support an integrated planning of offshore wind energy and nature in Maritime Spatial Plans and contribute to the elaboration and implementation of the European climate, energy and environmental objectives. Moreover, Med OCEaN will strive to fill knowledge gaps, monitor developments as well as impacts and efficacy of biodiversity measures applied to the offshore wind sector and grid infrastructure, and investigate innovative solutions.
On the Launch of Med OCEaN, Antonella Battaglini, CEO at the Renewables Grid Initiative, noted that:
“RGI is proud to extend the collaboration of the Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature to the Mediterranean Sea. Offshore wind and grid infrastructure is key to meet EU climate and energy targets. At the same time, the protection and restoration of the marine ecosystem are vital to our economic, social and ecological wellbeing. Collaborating is the only way to avoid damages, delays and conflicts.”
Founding Members
Learn more
Download Med OCEaN's Recommendations on Maritime Spatial Planning here