Coexistence of offshore wind power with commercial fishing, aquaculture and nature conservation : A synthesis of knowledge about preconditions and measures

In February 2022, the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management (hereinafter SwAM) and the Swedish Energy Agency (hereinafter Energy Agency) were tasked by the Government of Sweden with compiling a knowledge synthesis of the possibilities and preconditions for coexistence of offshore wind power with commercial fishing, aquaculture and nature conservation. The agencies have interpreted the assignment as referring to coexistence in the same location, highlighting in particular the importance of and prerequisites for adapting the different activities. This final report is based on a review of literature and projects, an analysis of navigational safety conditions, exchanges of experiences with other countries and dialogue with Swedish authorities and stakeholders. Offshore wind power The increasing demand for electricity is increasing interest in developing new offshore wind power. As a result, wind power’s claims on marine space have also increased, which could lead to conflicts with existing uses. The impacts of offshore wind power and the conditions for coexistence differ between the construction, operation and decommissioning phases, and are dependent on factors such as the choice of technology and type of installation. The rapid technological development that characterises offshore wind power creates both opportunities and challenges for coexistence, and there are currently several uncertainties that remain to be resolved. The regulatory framework applicable to the establishment of offshore wind power is extensive and complex, particularly in terms of regulating its environmental impacts. At the same time, there are no regulations explicitly aimed at coexistence with other activities. Both in Sweden and other countries, there is limited experience in testing co-location of activities in offshore wind farms. For offshore wind power, the lack of predictability in the permitting process is an important challenge both for the state and the developer in terms of e