Pilot study to assess how artificial structures at offshore wind farms promote biodiversity

Baltic Offshore is part of a pilot study to assess how artificial structures at offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea promote biodiversity.

12 years after the turnkey Cable Supply and Installation of Kårehamn Offshore Wind Farm Baltic Offshore was back on site to install artificial reefs in partnership with RWE and Linneaus University. The purpose of the installation is to assess how artificial structures at offshore wind farms can promote biodiversity and support ecosystem services, such as habitat provision, nutrient cycling and water quality, hence contributing to the restoration and preservation of the Baltic Sea.

The installation consists of 180 eco-friendly reef cubes, in different sizes, installed at three separate positions at the wind farm. The installation was done by the cable vessel Pleijel, using specialized net bags that normally is used as filter units filled with rock. The net bags were carefully positioned on the seabed. The artificial reefs will be studied for colonisation until 2026 when they will be retrieved, and the data and learnings will provide input for the sustainable design of future offshore wind projects.

Tony Petterson, QHSE-manager Baltic Offshore:
“We are proud to be part of and continue RWE’s journey with Kårehamn, where Baltic Offshore has already done all the installation of the cables and to now get to be part of and see how nature is affected and whether there may already be opportunities to use materials during the installation phase to ensure that biodiversity is positively affected.”