Offshore construction has officially begun at Ecowende’s 760 MW Hollandse Kust West wind farm, located 53 km off the Dutch coast near IJmuiden, which is set to become the most ecological offshore wind farm to date.
The project kicked off with the installation of eco-friendly scour protection around the base of the turbine monopiles to stabilise the seabed and prevent erosion from strong currents and waves. This ensures the structural integrity of the turbine foundations.
Four new scour protection concepts have been introduced, each progressively more complex and optimised for marine biodiversity. Stones graded from 60–300 kg – with some up to 450 kg – are used to create large gaps and crevices, and specially designed bays extend habitat space. These features offer shelter for fish and benthic species and encourage the development of a richer marine ecosystem at the rock–sand interface.
Notably, this design actively supports threatened species such as Atlantic cod, according to Ecowende, a joint venture between Shell, Eneco, and Chubu Electric Power, transforming scour protection from a purely structural measure into a tool for ecological enrichment. The installation by Van Oord’s vessels Nordnes and Bravenes pushes operational boundaries, setting a new industry benchmark for large-scale, biodiversity-focused seabed stabilisation in offshore wind.
Throughout installation and beyond, the ecological performance of these designs will be closely monitored to evaluate long-term impacts. Insights gained could inform future offshore wind farms and promote best practices in nature-inclusive construction.
