Eneco Luchterduinen was the first wind farm where we put our ideas to the test. Could wind turbines actually support marine biodiversity? No one knew for sure, so we set out to find answers. In 2018, we placed oyster cages with young and adult flat oysters on the seabed, along with two reef balls for protection and habitat creation. These experiments led to a new oyster table design that improved survival rates.
“Uit eerdere projecten leerden we wat voor ontwerp optimaal zou zijn om oesters zoveel mogelijk overlevingskansen te geven in een windpark. We keken naar alle te verwachte omstandigheden in windpark Luchterduinen, inclusief stormomstandigheden, en op basis daarvan maakten we een nieuw en verbeterd ontwerp oestertafel.”
Eneco manages the wind farm and supports offshore logistics, while Van Oord is also closely involved in this project. The dredging company developed the oyster tables and improved the design based on the field missions at sea. Together, we are building on years of experience to improve marine restoration efforts. Leading the project from The Rich North Sea, project manager Oskar van Megen coordinates the collaboration to ensure its success.
Since 2018, several monitoring missions have been carried out to investigate survival and reproduction of the released oysters, stability of the structures on the seabed, and biodiversity around the oyster beds.
The first oyster cages we placed in the North Sea weren’t strong enough to withstand the sandy seabed. We learned valuable lessons from these early trials, which led to a redesigned approach. Van Oord developed new structures that mimic the natural environment, giving flat oysters a better chance of survival. These oyster tables are placed on the scour protection around wind turbines, preventing the structures from sinking into the sand.
Since diving is not allowed in wind farms, we use innovative monitoring techniques like e-DNA sampling and underwater cameras to study the marine life around the turbines.
“This project has played an important role in the development of The Rich North Sea. This is where our approach was born: collaborating with wind farm developers and offshore partners to make nature restoration in the North Sea possible.”
– Oskar van Megen, Project Manager, The Rich North Sea
The Rich North Sea serves as a key link between science and industry. We organize offshore missions, offer expertise, and coordinate monitoring efforts. Additionally, we share our findings with other wind farm developers, helping to promote nature-inclusive design and inspire wider adoption of sustainable practices in offshore wind projects.
"Oysters are very special creatures because they can filter the water, which in turn can truly change the habitat. What makes the Luchterduinen project so unique is that we’re using oyster tables that have never been used before and that mimic the natural environment as much as possible. In the wild, oysters form oyster beds where they grow on top of each other, creating a full shellfish reef. That reef is very attractive to many animals: it provides a place to find food and shelter.”
It's finally here! We're excited to announce the launch of the Rich North Sea Toolbox, your knowledge hub for underwater nature enhancement. The Toolbox is designed to inspire, educate, and empower individuals and organizations to make a profound positive impact on marine ecosystems, starting with the North Sea. Over the past few months, we've added new content and sections on monitoring, species, and nature enhancement methods. Whether you're a marine biologist, project manager, environmental advocate, or you're curious about nature inclusive design, the Toolbox will spark your curiosity and expand your knowledge. We hope that one day, using the Toolbox isn't just a best practice, but the only way of doing business in the offshore sector.
Read moreFour oyster tables – structures made of concrete and other material on which live oysters are placed – have been installed at Luchterduinen wind farm. By placing the oyster tables there, the Rich North Sea programme, energy company Eneco and marine contractor Van Oord are working to restore oyster reefs in the Dutch North Sea. The oyster tables feature an innovative design, the result of four years of research. This is the first time the design has ever been used in practice, giving the wind farm a global premiere.
Read moreIn wind farm Luchterduinen an oyster trial took place in recent months: oyster banks and reef balls have been placed on the seabed. With these 'artificial reefs' we want to gain knowledge about the development of oyster banks within wind farms. The first results show that the design of the cages needs to be adapted.
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