Reconciling Marine Conservation with Offshore Wind Parks

Baltic states have ambitious plans to increase their offshore wind capacity in an already crowded marine space to meet climate mitigation targets. Simultaneously, this region has committed to protect, by 2030, at least 30 percent of its marine environment through marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective conservation measures (OECMs). Achieving this conservation goal will increase spatial demands at sea, potentially leading to overlaps between protected areas and offshore wind development sites. Where the deployment of large-scale wind parks conflicts with conservation objectives, tensions may arise, presenting a dilemma of prioritizing either climate or biodiversity. However, recent ecological research suggests that there may be potential synergistic effects between offshore wind infrastructure and marine ecosystems. Offshore wind structures can generate both anthropogenic disturbances and ecological benefits, making their coexistence with conservation measures a complex but feasible objective. To reduce conflicts, this article explores legal pathways to promote coexistence between offshore wind power and MPAs. Additionally, evidence indicates that offshore wind parks can, under certain conditions, enhance biodiversity through artificial reef effects, acoustic management, and the incidental exclusion of other disruptive activities such as trawling or intensive shipping. In this regard, offshore wind parks can be categorized as OECMs. This article explores how, in light of recent policy developments, careful planning of offshore wind with biodiversity considerations can facilitate co-location with MPAs or even classify them as OECMs. Fostering coexistence at sea aligns with international and European Union law, aiming to minimize emerging spatial conflicts in maritime areas.