Shell and Eneco joint venture Ecowende is working with Waardenburg Ecology to develop an ecological programme for its Hollandse Kust (west) lot VI offshore wind farm.
WMR, WaterProof Marine Consultancy & Services and Seamarco are also working on the programme.
The collaboration will ensure ecology is given a prominent place in the preparation, construction and operation in what Ecowende says is the first offshore wind farm in the world that will be in harmony with nature.
The announcement was made at the seventh Conference on Wind energy and Wildlife impacts (CWW), which was held in Croatia.
Waardenburg Ecology will monitor and study the development of biodiversity at the wind farm, on behalf of Ecowende.
Jeroen Kwakkel, marine ecology consultant, project manager at Waardenburg Ecology, said: “We will draw on more than 45 years’ worth of knowledge about the North Sea system in order to fill as many knowledge gaps as possible together with our partners.
“We will start by studying the current state of the planning area before looking at the impact on nature during the construction of the wind farm.
“Starting from 2025, we will monitor how nature develops both above the sea and underwater over the following 20 years.
“This will be monitored more intensively during the first seven years.”
Hermione van Zutphen, ecology project manager at Ecowende: “Together, we intend to set a new ecological standard for wind farms in the North Sea.
“This new standard should ensure the Dutch government’s ambitions for offshore wind can be achieved with a net positive impact on nature.
“There needs to be an extensive monitoring and research programme based on the measures we implement at the wind farm so that we can demonstrate effectiveness and fill knowledge gaps.
“Waardenburg Ecology and its partners know more about this subject than anyone else.”