Presentations

Abstract

In Norway, offshore wind is just out of the starting blocks: The first fixed offshore wind project is being developed at Sørlige Nordsjø II. Auctions are planned for the first floating wind project at Utsira Nord. The extension of the Utsira Nord area, Vestavind F, are among the front runner candidates for additional offshore wind development in Norway [1].  Expansion of offshore wind raises concerns on impacts on the marine environment [2] and associated socio-economic effects, including pressures on fisheries and other space-use conflicts [3]. To aid decision-makers in exploring and communicating potential effects , we present a scenario modelling approach to understand these impacts and the room for coexistence between offshore wind and activities like fisheries and offshore aquaculture. In this paper, we highlight the development of the MARine CO-existence (MARCO) Demonstrator, which explores scenarios which may help in the early stages of offshore wind development. In the MARCO project, DNV has partnered with the Institute of Marine Research, Mainstream Renewable Power, the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, and Subfarm. The MARCO Demonstrator is powered by forecasting models and spatial layers and presents scenarios to 2050 involving technology, climate, nature and governance. The tool showcases results on wind capacity and its spatial usage across the North Sea and Norwegian waters. It also visualizes spatial competition among ocean activities, including nature protection zones, to aid decision-support and marine spatial planning, helping balance ocean health and wealth. Scenario exploration in the MARCO Demonstrator has been tested with a group of stakeholders in the Utsira Nord area, including fisheries organizations, offshore and renewable organizations, relevant government authorities, local community representatives and environmental organizations. Figure 1 shows how models feed into stakeholder engagement process in the MARCO Demonstrator.