Inaugural OEEC Offshore Energy Event Featuring Nature Enhancement Content Program and Exhibition Pavilion

The Netherlands leads in integrating nature enhancement in offshore energy, spotlighted at OEEC 2024's program.
OEEC First Offshore Energy Event with Dedicated Nature Enhancement Content Programme, Exhibition Pavilion

The Netherlands is at the forefront of integrating nature enhancement requirements in offshore wind energy tenders. The Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference (OEEC) is spotlighting this initiative, featuring nature enhancement prominently in its program and exhibition.

In this article:

  • Ørsted, The Rich North Sea, and the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture discuss nature enhancement
  • Ecowende and Waardenburg Ecology exhibit at the Nature Enhancement Pavilion
OEEC 2023 Marjolein Kelder from The Rich North Sea at the panel session Offshore energy Business for the better Photo Navingo

Discussions on biodiversity protection, both terrestrial and marine, have been part of the OEEC. This year, organizer Navingo is emphasizing nature enhancement.

The Dutch Government’s tender procedures now include nature enhancement, with the offshore energy industry incorporating nature-friendly designs. The supply chain, along with project owners, is involved.

On the first day of OEEC 2024, Jeroen Vis from the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature will unveil a new programme, Nature Regeneration North Sea, aiming to create a resilient North Sea for sustainable use. (Conference Area, Hall 2, 26 November, 15:30 – 16:15.)

Interested in the Nature Enhancement pavilion and sessions? Get OEEC 2024 tickets on the Tickets page!

In 2022, Marjolein Kelder, Senior Project Manager at The Rich North Sea, emphasized the need for positive environmental impacts beyond avoiding negative effects.

Kelder stated that achieving no negative impact is insufficient. “We need to aim for positive impacts using passive or active nature enhancement measures.”

Last year, Marjolein Kelder participated in a panel on nature enhancement and net-zero targets.

At OEEC 2024, Ørsted’s Senior Marine Ecology Specialist, Karin Bilo, and Marjolein Kelder will review the Rich North Sea programme’s achievements. (The Stage, 26 November, 11:00 – 11:25.)

Following this, Natuur & Milieu will present North Sea Vision 2040, developed with the North Sea Foundation, WWF, and Birdlife Netherlands. (The Stage, 26 November, 11:30 – 11:55.)

The exhibition features a Nature Enhancement Pavilion in Hall 2, showcasing biodiversity solutions from industry leaders like Ecowende, developer of the 760 MW wind farm at Hollandse Kust West VI.

Ecowende, backed by Shell, Chubu Electric Power, and Eneco, aims to build a wind farm with minimal impact on wildlife.

In 2023, Ecowende partnered with Waardenburg Ecology to create an ecological programme for their wind farm. Waardenburg Ecology will also feature in the pavilion.

Van Oord, contracted to build the offshore wind farm is among the OEEC 2024 exhibitors.

To explore the Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference 2024 program, visit the Program page and view exhibitors on the Floor Plan page.

Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz