Turid Øygard from Offshore Norway and Hanna Bauge from Fiskebåt discussed strategies for fostering collaboration between the offshore wind industry and fisheries in Norway. Emphasizing the importance of early dialogue and systematic planning, they highlight the government’s goal of developing a competitive offshore wind sector while minimizing conflicts with existing fishing activities.
Norway aims to allocate space for 30 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040, with a collaborative forum established by the energy minister to facilitate stakeholder discussions. Offshore Norge represents companies involved in ocean wind park development, while the Fiskebåt advocates for commercial fishing interests. The strategic goals for offshore wind focuses on job creation in Norway related to offshore wind development and reducing CO₂ emissions sustainably while ensuring coexistence between different business interests.
Future challenges include determining acreage loss for fisheries and resolving disputes between industries. Successful coexistence between offshore wind development and fisheries requires systematic planning, early stakeholder engagement, and political commitment to protect fishing interests. Key factors for success include political commitment, genuine influence in decision-making processes, and careful planning of infrastructure like subsea cables to avoid disrupting fishing activities.
The Norwegian government has established a collaborative forum with working groups representing various interests. This structured and transparent process aims to utilize the exception provision effectively, focusing on coexistence rather than co-location. One of the first things to come out of the collaborative forum is the so called “Dreieboka” or “Playbook”. The aim of the playbook is for it to function as a recipe to avoid conflict between the industries in the development and operation of offshore wind projects, within areas that the authorities have already opened for such development. The book is intended as a practical handbook and reference book for when and how the industries should have a dialogue, involve each other, discuss and cooperate in various activities related to offshore wind projects. A system for dialogue has been set up, emphasizing early communication. For the fishing industry, this means addressing the inevitable development of wind power.
Key factors for success include:
Agreement on principles, vital for the fishing industry
A national objective for development
Genuine influence in decision-making processes
Strategic selection of initial areas, avoiding significant spots
Ensuring areas are adaptable throughout the process
High standards for area efficiency
Focus on nature mapping and data collection
Utilization of best available technology (BAT)
Extensive use of subsea cables and securing their funding
Norway plans to build offshore wind farms (OWF) producing 30 GW by 2040, with 20 ocean areas designated for OWF. Three have already been auctioned, with the first bid won by Venture, partially owned by IKEA. The remaining 17 areas will be auctioned next year. Government-designated areas, decided through extensive dialogue, reduce conflict levels. Co-existence, not co-location, is the primary goal.
Importance of early dialogue and systematic planning to promote cooperation between the offshore wind industry and fisheries.
Goals to develop a competitive offshore wind sector in Norway while minimizing conflicts with existing fishing activities.
Establishment of a collaborative forum to promote stakeholder dialogue, focusing on coexistence rather than competition.
Bauge from Fiskebåt states that political will ensures the establishment of OWF, advocating for coexistence. Early involvement and real influence are essential, as is selecting the right areas initially. Adaptable zones for future changes and add-ons are also crucial. Success factors include nature mapping, BAT, subsea cables, and decommissioning.
In conclusion, the process is paramount, and leadership is necessary. The collaboration around the handbook has helped the sectors establish a way forward, making it easier now than at the beginning.
Political will and real influence in decision-making processes are crucial.
Significance of selecting the right areas initially and making them adaptable for future changes.
Focus on nature mapping, the use of best available technology (BAT), and extensive use of subsea cables.
Sonja Andrén presented current work at Innovatum Science Park which aims to drive sustainable transformation and regional competitive excellence by supporting innovation investments and fostering collaboration among businesses. Focusing on the blue bioeconomy, the park emphasizes multi-use scenarios in seafood production, highlighting capacity building and stakeholder engagement.
Established in 1997 in Trollhättan, Sweden, Innovatum backs startups and scale-ups, facilitating business development through expert coaching and community access. Key focus areas include sustainable industry, renewable energy, and the blue bioeconomy. With over 3,000 maritime companies employing about 20,000 people in the region, Innovatum aims to enhance local economies through job creation and alternative revenue streams, promoting industrial symbiosis and circularity.
Andrén explains that multi-use scenarios in seafood production drive growth and sustainability in coastal regions. Partnerships with local municipalities like Lysekil and Falkenberg strengthen the blue bioeconomy in Western Sweden.
Co-location of aquaculture with renewable energy has the potential to support sustainable development and increase food self-sufficiency in Sweden. Lysekil and Falkenberg are being studied to identify challenges and opportunities for a common foundation for innovations in food production. Challenges such as socio-economic factors, legal governance issues, technical hurdles, and environmental concerns need addressing for successful implementation.
Andrén also presented the Blue Bio Cluster project. The project will be carried out over three years and focus on enhancing the blue and bio-marine sectors at regional, national, and international levels. Its main goal is to support companies in the blue bioeconomy with innovative tools and methods for business development, fostering sustainable growth and strengthening European coastal communities. Key activities include facilitating connections for startups and SMEs with experts and investors, showcasing integrated circular value chains as models for other coastal regions, and helping companies incorporate ecosystem services into new business models. The initiative will also identify weaknesses in bio-based value chains and promote international collaboration among bio-marine clusters, with Innovatum Science Park in Sweden participating among 12 EU countries.
Innovatum supports sustainable transformation and regional competitive excellence by fostering innovation and collaboration among businesses.
Focus on the blue bioeconomy and multi-use scenarios in seafood production.
Collaboration with local municipalities to strengthen the blue bioeconomy in Western Sweden.
Karl Strømsem talked about how the OFFWOFF and MARCO projects have begun laying a foundation for investigating whether co-location of floating wind power and fish farming is feasible. However, scaling these concepts requires investment in research and development, as well as pilot projects to test scalability and identify best practices. Strømsem highlights the need for international cooperation, drawing on global expertise to address the technical and environmental challenges inherent in such ambitious undertakings.
Strømsem emphasizes the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including marine biologists, engineers, policymakers, and the fishing industry, to realize the potential of integrated offshore floating wind farms and submerged aquaculture. The success of this system hinges on meticulous planning, robust regulatory frameworks, and continuous technological advancements.
Initial studies on the Mareld Field suggest significant potential for generating both renewable energy (9–12 TWh) and aquaculture production (60,000 tons), leading to substantial job creation. The future of fish farming in Strømsems opinion lies subsea, as subsea farms for salmon avoid the salmon lice problem, which do not live in colder waters. The SUBFARM system, designed for submerged cage placement between wind turbine towers, is well-suited for this integration.
Economic implications of this integrated approach are profound. By utilizing renewable energy sources and sustainable aquaculture, nations can diversify their energy portfolios, enhance food security, and create resilient coastal economies. The dual benefits of energy and food production promise a more balanced utilization of marine resources, fostering a blue economy that is both prosperous and environmentally responsible.