The UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has developed a roadmap to improve ocean observation and enhance understanding of the potential environmental impacts of offshore wind expansion. Commissioned by the Scottish Government’s Scottish Marine Energy Research (ScotMER) Programme, the Scoping an Offshore Wind Sustained Observation Programme report aims to inform the planning of significant offshore wind farm development, particularly in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.
The report reviews existing knowledge of key environmental factors in the North Sea, focusing on water column structure and seasonal variability. It identifies knowledge gaps related to offshore wind impacts and recommends key essential ocean variables (EOVs) for baseline assessments and long-term monitoring to protect the marine environment.
“Relatively little is known about the impacts of fixed and floating wind farms as offshore wind expands into deeper waters, with climate change adding further complexity,” said Dr Michela De Dominicis, ocean modelling senior scientist at NOC.
“This step in understanding is essential to baseline conditions and monitor ongoing changes in the marine environment, helping to safeguard ocean health,” added Dr Charlotte Williams, physical oceanographer at NOC.
The Scottish Government aims to add at least 20GW of new renewable electricity capacity by 2030, which could generate around 50% of Scotland’s current total energy demand. Currently, around 3GW of offshore wind is operational in Scottish waters. The ScotWind leasing round is targeting a further 28GW across 20 projects, with an additional 5GW planned through the Innovation and Targeted Oil & Gas (INTOG) round.
Half of these future projects will use floating offshore wind technology, deployed in deeper waters where seasonal stratification affects nutrient distribution and phytoplankton growth. Phytoplankton underpin the marine food web by delivering nutrients and supporting overall ocean health.
Key recommendations from the roadmap:
- Improve access to and integration of existing data, prioritising essential physical and biogeochemical indicators (EOVs) at regional and site-specific scales.
- Use a range of monitoring platforms, including remote systems, to measure water column stability and stratification.
- Develop and validate computer model simulations with existing and new data to predict cumulative impacts of future infrastructure.
- Strengthen stakeholder collaboration and industry partnerships to enable long-term strategic monitoring and establish clearer protocols for impact assessment.
These recommendations will help shape the Scottish Government’s review of its Sectoral Marine Plan for Offshore Wind Energy, ensuring it reflects the latest scientific knowledge and leasing developments.
