WINDNA

The transition to sustainable energy is a crucial part of global efforts to combat climate change. Offshore wind farms are set to expand significantly as part of this green transition. For instance, the Esbjerg Declaration by Danish authorities aims to increase wind power production in the North Sea by tenfold by 2050. However, this expansion raises concerns about potential disruptions to marine ecosystems. To address these concerns, political goals have shifted from “No Net Loss” to “Marine Net Gain” in biodiversity, meaning offshore wind farms should enhance rather than harm marine ecosystems.

The WINDNA project focuses on using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding techniques to monitor marine biodiversity around offshore wind farms. By employing advanced autonomous robotic instruments for in situ eDNA sampling and DNA analysis, the project aims to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution. Sampling will primarily take place around the offshore wind farm Horns Rev II located in the North Sea and at the Ørsted wind farm off the coast of Anholt.

The overarching goal is to develop a robust, cost-efficient eDNA-based tool for marine environmental impact assessment. With the results from the project, we aim to transform eDNA from a basic science concept into a practical monitoring tool that can be adopted by the industry and national authorities. This will help ensure that the establishment of wind farms contributes positively to marine biodiversity in the future and supports nature-based solutions for artificial reef structures.