TenneT places artificial reefs near offshore platform Hollandse Kust (west Alpha)
TenneT, in collaboration with contractor Equans/Smulders, has placed several artificial reefs near the offshore transformer platform Hollandse Kust (west Alpha).
Image source: TenneT
Netherlands, Egmond aan Zee: TenneT, in collaboration with contractor Equans/Smulders, has placed several artificial reefs near the offshore transformer platform Hollandse Kust (west Alpha).
The platform will connect the Ecowende (Shell/Eneco) consortium wind farm to the high voltage grid. The aim is to build this wind farm with a healthy ecosystem and as little impact on nature as possible. The reefs are part of a series of ecological measures by TenneT to monitor and encourage nature around offshore wind farms.
By 2050, energy production must be completely climate neutral. One of the main pillars to achieve this goal is offshore wind energy. However, all the infrastructure may have an impact on the ecology of the North Sea. Saskia Jaarsma, head of offshore development at TenneT said: “We are aware of the potential impact on the North Sea. That’s why we pay a lot of attention in researching what happens underwater. The installation of artificial reefs is another step in researching, monitoring and stimulating marine life.”
To find out which form works best, two types of artificial reefs have been placed near the Hollandse Kust west alpha jacket, located about 50 kilometers off the coast of Egmond aan Zee. Six reef cubes (hollow square blocks made of nature-friendly recycled material with round holes in the walls) are attached to one frame. On the other steel frame are six reef balls, a similar structure, but in the shape of a ball. “These artificial reef structures are meant to stimulate marine life. With these, you create potential spots where coral and algae settle. Earlier research shows that fish, crabs and lobsters like to visit these spots for shelter and to look for food,” says Annemiek Hermans, a marine biologist.
The aim of the trial is to investigate which shape works best in the waters off the coast. The hollows provide protection for young fish but are also meant to increase the structure’s bonding surface. “In this way, we hope to provide a suitable place for numerous other animal and plant species in addition to juvenile fish, crabs and lobsters,” Hermans said. As a marine researcher, she welcomes the similar initiatives being taken from the wind industry. She also noted the responsibility of the industry for living beings in the North Sea.
She expects that it takes up to three years to see clearly visible differences. Jaarsma added that number of measures to stimulate marine life, such as the fish hotels on our jackets, are now standard at TenneT’s offshore assets, and that TenneT always keeps an eye out for innovation.
Source: TenneT