New Factsheets shed light on the key role of data collection and monitoring for nature-friendly offshore wind and grids

OCEaN – North & Baltic Seas is today launching two factsheets as part of our new Stronger Data, Smarter Seas series. In cooperation with our Members, these factsheets aim to outline the importance of data monitoring, collection, and sharing throughout all stages of offshore wind and grid development to protect the health and resilience of our seas. Considering nature from planning through to decommissioning supports conservation, helps reduce costs, and ensures infrastructure development is aligned with both biodiversity and energy goals.

The first factsheet presents ‘a four-step path to nature-inclusive offshore wind and grids’ – clearly outlining how developers work closely with ecological experts on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), mitigation objectives, environmental monitoring, and adaptive management. These four steps are closely connected and most effective when applied as a coherent process. The factsheet aims to make these steps tangible with a clear example of these processes using the harbour porpoise.

The second factsheet dives into data sharing, emphasising that the exchange of environmental monitoring data from offshore wind and grid projects can support regulators, developers, and researchers. At present, developers and transmission system operators (TSOs) collect vast amounts of data, but the scarcity of platforms for exchange hinders sharing, accessibility, and reusability of this information. The factsheet outlines existing national data sharing platforms in Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom, comparing how they operate and aim to improve data access, management, and reuse.

OCEaN invites you to download and peruse the factsheets, which we hope can serve as a quick reference guide on the vital relationship between data collection and monitoring and nature-friendly offshore wind and grids.