Published on 3 October 2024
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Scandinavia is leading a groundbreaking initiative that merges renewable energy and sustainable food production, including seaweed harvesting.
Off the Danish coast, researchers from Aarhus University and the Swedish energy company Vattenfall are exploring how offshore wind farms can also serve as seafood farms. At Scandinavia’s largest wind farm, Kriegers Flak, seaweed and mussels are being cultivated in the waters between the turbines, marking a successful early harvest after just 18 months of research.
Seaweed plays a central role in this initiative. Grown on 400-meter lines strung between the wind turbines, it offers significant environmental benefits. Seaweed is a low-trophic crop, meaning it doesn’t require fertilisers, instead absorbing nutrients directly from the sea. This quality not only helps improve water quality but also aids in carbon capture, making it a sustainable solution for both food production and environmental protection. The seaweed was recently harvested for the first time.
The recent seaweed harvest at Kriegers Flak highlights the potential for integrating aquaculture with renewable energy. Researchers suggest that tonnes of fresh seafood could be produced annually by utilising just a tenth of Denmark’s wind park area. Mussel and seaweed crops could help improve water quality and capture carbon.
This innovative approach could set a precedent for multi-use ocean spaces as Europe aims to expand its offshore wind capacity. As the demand for clean energy grows, combining seafood and wind power may become a model for sustainable ocean development.
Read the full Euronews Green Article here!
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