News
The King Visits The Rich North Sea and Ecowende: Nature as a Prerequisite for Energy and Food Security
His Majesty the King paid a working visit today to The Rich North Sea and offshore wind developer Ecowende in IJmuiden. The visit, which took place at Ecowende’s new onshore service base, focused on three major challenges competing for space in the North Sea: the energy transition, nature restoration, and safeguarding food production. All three must find a place in one of the busiest seas in the world. During the visit, the King was introduced to the latest innovations in offshore wind energy, nature enhancement, and sustainable food production, and spoke with representatives of organizations working on these challenges. The visit highlighted that a healthy underwater ecosystem is a prerequisite for achieving both energy and food security.
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King Willem-Alexander Visits The Rich North Sea and Ecowende
His Majesty the King will pay a working visit on the morning of Thursday, 24 September, to The Rich North Sea and Ecowende at Ecowende’s onshore service base in IJmuiden. The visit will focus on the energy transition, nature restoration, and food production in the North Sea. Each of these challenges requires space and smart decision-making. The visit demonstrates that nature forms the foundation for energy and food security and highlights how nature, offshore wind energy, and food production at sea can reinforce one another.
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Young Oysters Deployed on TenneT Cable Crossings
Nearly twenty tons of rocks carrying thousands of young European flat oysters have been deployed at two cable crossings in the North Sea. Researchers are testing whether the oysters survive, grow and reproduce, and whether this method can be used in the future for reef restoration alongside the construction and maintenance of maritime infrastructure. This is important because oyster reefs have almost completely disappeared from the North Sea.
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Water-exchange openings linked to distinct marine communities inside offshore wind foundations
Distinct marine communities have developed inside offshore wind turbine foundations equipped with water replenishment holes. The findings are based on research carried out three years after installation at the Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm in the North Sea. The foundations include holes in the walls of the large hollow steel monopiles — so-called water replenishment holes — allowing seawater to flow through the structure. The findings suggest that water exchange may play an important role in shaping ecological conditions inside the monopiles.
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ReefCreate-XL aims for large-scale reef restoration in the North Sea
For the first time on such a large scale, research is being conducted into how reefs can be restored in the North Sea. In the new ReefCreate-XL project, scientists, offshore companies, government bodies and nature organisations are joining forces. The project was launched this spring as an initiative of Nature Regeneration North Sea. In 2026, the focus is on designing reef structures.
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First monitoring flat oyster reef restoration pilot: good survival rates and opportunities for improvement
Researchers are positive about the initial results of an innovative method for reef restoration in the North Sea. The survival of the European flat oysters deployed last year appears comparable to that of other restoration projects in the region. At the same time, the first monitoring results show there are opportunities to improve the method ahead of the next deployment later this year.
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New collaboration to scale up oyster reef development at offshore renewable infrastructure in the North Sea
Starting today, The Rich North Sea, the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA), and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) are announcing a new collaboration to accelerate the large scale development of European native oyster (Ostrea edulis) reefs at offshore wind farms in the North Sea.
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Mission with TenneT to offshore cable crossings: opportunities for biodiversity
Can offshore cable crossings help strengthen marine life? The Rich North Sea and TenneT carried out a joint monitoring mission at three recently installed cable crossings in the Dutch North Sea. The results have now been analyzed. They show which species settle on and around these structures. At the same time, this exploration serves as an important baseline for future nature enhancement measures.
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New Mecal structure installed in the Offshore Test Site
This fall, The Rich North Sea and engineering firm Mecal installed a new structure at the Offshore Test Site. The installation is part of the BeWild project, in which we work with partners on innovative methods to monitor and enhance biodiversity around wind farms.
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