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Nature‑Friendly Decommissioning of Offshore Energy Infrastructure: What happens to North Sea marine life?

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Title: Nature‑Friendly Decommissioning of Offshore Energy Infrastructure: What happens to North Sea marine life?
Author:
Stichting De Noordzee
Publication Date:
Affiliation
Stichting De Noordzee
Technology:
Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind
Stressor:
Changes in Flow, Habitat Change
Receptor:
Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link
Attachment:
Access File

Citation

Stichting De Noordzee (2026). Nature‑Friendly Decommissioning of Offshore Energy Infrastructure: What happens to North Sea marine life?. Retrieved from https://www.noordzee.nl/nature-friendly-decommissioning/
@misc{Stichting-De-Noordzee-2026-,
author = {Stichting De Noordzee},
title = {Nature‑Friendly Decommissioning of Offshore Energy Infrastructure: What happens to North Sea marine life?},
year = {2026},
month = {jun},
url = {https://www.noordzee.nl/nature-friendly-decommissioning/},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Changes in Flow, Habitat Change, Fish, Invertebrates, Physical Environment},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - GEN
TI - Nature‑Friendly Decommissioning of Offshore Energy Infrastructure: What happens to North Sea marine life?
AU - Stichting De Noordzee
AB - What happens to the nature that has developed on offshore platforms and wind turbines when these structures are removed at the end of their operational life? Two interactive infographics explore the ecological considerations involved in offshore decommissioning and what different scenarios could mean for biodiversity in the North Sea. Over the past decades, hundreds of offshore oil and gas installations and, more recently, large numbers of offshore wind farms, have been built in the North Sea. Although these structures can negatively affect marine ecosystems during construction and operation, research shows that they can also develop ecological value over time as new habitats. Developed as part of the Nature-friendly Decommissioning project, the infographics focus on offshore wind and grid infrastructure, and on offshore platforms such as oil and gas installations and electrical substations. Explore them to discover what we know so far and how nature may change after decommissioning.
DA - 2026/06//
PY - 2026
PB - Stichting De Noordzee
UR - https://www.noordzee.nl/nature-friendly-decommissioning/
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Changes in Flow
KW - Habitat Change
KW - Fish
KW - Invertebrates
KW - Physical Environment
ER -
Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

What happens to the nature that has developed on offshore platforms and wind turbines when these structures are removed at the end of their operational life? Two interactive infographics explore the ecological considerations involved in offshore decommissioning and what different scenarios could mean for biodiversity in the North Sea. 

Over the past decades, hundreds of offshore oil and gas installations and, more recently, large numbers of offshore wind farms, have been built in the North Sea. Although these structures can negatively affect marine ecosystems during construction and operation, research shows that they can also develop ecological value over time as new habitats. 

Developed as part of the Nature-friendly Decommissioning project, the infographics focus on offshore wind and grid infrastructure, and on offshore platforms such as oil and gas installations and electrical substations. Explore them to discover what we know so far and how nature may change after decommissioning.