COWI teams with Wood Thilsted to drive nature inclusivity in OSW design

Bristol – COWI in the UK, along with other industry leaders and research institutions, joins the Wood Thilsted Joint Industry Project (JIP) to reimagine a truly nature inclusive approach to wind farms.

This collaborative effort aims to explore and redefine what it means to create offshore wind farms that positively impact natural ecosystems throughout their lifecycle.

The imperative to decarbonise the global energy system through renewable energy sources like offshore wind is paramount for climate resilience. Indeed, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol recently declared we are entering an “age of electricity,” reflecting the rapid deployment of renewable sources such as solar and wind to meet the unprecedented growth in electricity demand. A sustainable transition, however, must not come at the expense of natural environments.

Alistair Kean, Director for Sustainability, COWI in the UK, said: “COWI’s motto of ‘together, we shape a sustainable and liveable world’ emphasises three main areas of sustainability, namely biodiversity enhancement, carbon emissions reduction and creating social value. Although renewable energy projects are in the long-term less damaging to the planet, they do have an environmental impact.

“We feel it is our duty to design offshore facilities to have as much biodiversity benefit as possible. We know that windfarms do create additional habitat for a wide range of species, the question is how to do this in a way that maximises biodiversity and helps to promote wider ecological recovery in our coastal waters. After 200 years of human-induced wildlife decline in our seas, it is time to start designing projects that regenerate lost habitats over a wider area. For that reason, we are delighted to work with Wood Thilsted on this nature inclusivity JIP.”

The JIP will explore nature inclusivity at every phase of wind farm development, from initial planning and construction to decommissioning, considering the full scope of a wind farm – from offshore turbines to onshore substations. By integrating innovative environmental design and operational practices, the project seeks to make positive contributions to biodiversity, supporting marine and coastal ecosystems throughout a project’s lifespan.

“As well as the race to net zero, there’s an equally pressing need for nature recovery and ecosystem restoration,” said Danny Bonnett, Wood Thilsted’s Director of Sustainability and Chair of the JIP. “It’s no longer enough to merely minimise harm; we must move towards creating measurable, positive impacts on biodiversity and natural systems. This project is a crucial step toward integrating regenerative principles into offshore wind farm design.”

Leading players from across the offshore wind value chain and engineering have expressed interest in joining the JIP as founding members. “It’s inspiring to see this level of commitment from key industry stakeholders who recognise the dual imperative of protecting nature while advancing renewable energy,” Bonnett added.

The need to address both climate change and biodiversity loss is increasingly influencing regulatory frameworks and project standards. For instance, recent regulatory shifts in the Netherlands emphasise environmental performance in project evaluations, while Denmark, where COWI is headquartered, is encouraging practices that go beyond simply reducing negative impacts. In the UK, onshore Biodiversity Net Gain regulations are now in effect, with similar standards anticipated for marine environments in future Allocation Rounds.

The strength of this initiative lies in collective insight and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Tackling the twin challenges of climate and nature loss is a generational challenge that demands a globally coordinated response.