Cumulative impact of offshore wind farms
Published on 30/04/2026
Assessing the cumulative impacts of offshore wind farms and other human activities
With the development of offshore wind energy, there is a growing concern on the potential cumulative impacts of offshore wind farms and other human activities at different spatial scales on the socio-ecosystems. In various legal documents, this concern compels offshore renewable energy (ORE) developers to include the cumulative impact assessment in their Environmental Impacts Assessment (EIA). In this context, it is crucial to speed-up the development of adapted operational tools to optimally conduct this foreseen legal obligation.
Towards operational tools
The NESTORE project (2022-2025) developed nested ecosystemic modelling tools to support cumulative impact assessment in the ORE context. Structural inputs and scenarios uncertainties in various models were analysed to improve the confidence level of results. This ecosystem modelling work has been linked to the functioning of governance mechanisms of maritime spatial planification and ecosystem services.
A public webinar to present the results of the NESTORE project
A public webinar will be held on Tuesday 26 May 2026 from 10.30 am to 12.00 pm (CEST) to present the main findings of the NESTORE R&D project. The webinar will be conducted in English.
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME:
- Introduction and context
- Bridging the gap between governance and ecosystem modelling – Rhoda Fofack-Garcia & Sybill Henry, France Energies Marines
- How can ecosystem services mapping support marine spatial planning? – Yoann Baulaz & Pierre Bourdaud, France Energies Marines
- Nested modelling – Nathalie Niquil, Université de Caen Normandie
- Uncertainties in models – Raphaël Girardin, Ifremer
- Feedback from the industry on the project outcomes
- Conclusion
- Q&A Session
Photo credit: France Energies Marines