Enhancing marine biodiversity: nature inclusive design at Hollandse Kust Zuid
Nature-inclusive design is an approach in offshore wind that aims to boost ecological functions by integrating features into wind farm structures, making them more suitable for native species.
Short facts
- Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ), Netherlands
- Marine life
- Enhance biodiversity and evaluate benefits of Nature Inclusive Design (NID) measures
- 2021–present
At the Hollandse Kust Zuid (HKZ) offshore wind farm in the Netherlands, Vattenfall has implemented measures to enhance biodiversity as part of its permit obligations.
Each foundation has water replenishment holes to allow marine life to move freely in and out of the foundation, and large rocks were added to the scour protection at nine locations to increase habitat complexity.
Vattenfall will monitor biodiversity development after 2, 6, and 11 years. In 2023, Vattenfall joined the KOBINE project, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality, to assess the costs and benefits of nature-inclusive policies.
One case study focuses on the rock reefs at HKZ, with initial results on biodiversity expected in 2025.
More about biodiversity
Biodiversity and nature protection are a priority at Vattenfall. It is one of the focus areas in our environmental policy and therefore also a central part in our environmental work.
See also
Nature conservation efforts at Windplanblauw: artificial reefs and resting areas
Windplanblauw is a wind energy project located in the province of Flevoland in central Netherlands.
Sustainable food production at Scandinavia’s largest offshore wind farm
At Kriegers Flak, researchers test combining offshore wind with sustainable food production.
Restoration of Juktån
The river Juktån served as a timber transport route in the early 20th century.