North Sea Farm #1, initiated by North Sea Farmers with funding from Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, is a floating farm located in the open space between wind turbines where seaweed production can be tested and improved. In parallel, scientific research aims to validate the carbon sequestration potential of seaweed farms and measure biodiversity impacts.
In the North Sea, offshore seaweed cultivation has only been done by research pilots. However, to understand what makes a viable and scalable business model and what the impacts are on the environment, North Sea Farmers (NSF) is going to start a commercially operated seaweed farm, including onshore processing activities.
Project Objectives
1. Show that seaweed farming between offshore wind turbines is technically feasible
Demonstrate that in challenging conditions within an offshore wind farm (proximity to wind farm, distance to the coast, depth, wind, waves, current, environmental, and safety), it is possible to operate a commercially viable seaweed farm. The project will develop seaweed production systems that are safe, robust, efficient and have high yields. Engineered with the best design codes and using all of the experience within the North Sea Farmers network.
2. Demonstrate that the young European seaweed sector can organize itself
The European seaweed (cultivation) industry is still young. Nevertheless, its players are more than capable of setting up functioning supply chains together with the traditional European players. This project is a unique opportunity for seaweed companies to develop and be part of a state-of-the-art supply chain, which is crucial in the execution of a commercial sustainable value chain.
3. Confirm genuine interest from European markets in seaweed products
NSF#1 aims to show that it is possible to make products from locally and sustainably cultivated seaweeds. The harvested seaweed from NSF#1 will initially be used to make samples of food ingredients, packaging, and clothing, as well as ingredients for cosmetics (texturizer) and agriculture (biostimulant ingredient). With these proven concepts, the seaweed sector can engage with the market.
4. Climate and environmental research objectives
More insights on how to tackle climate change by potentially sequestering and avoiding CO2 emissions. And gain more insights on the possibilities of realizing a net positive impact (NPI) on biodiversity.
5. Demonstrate the viability of co-use in offshore wind farms
If the ambition of the Ostend Declaration (development of a total capacity of 300 GW in wind farms in 2050 by nine countries with access to the North Sea) is realized, approximately 12% of the North Sea area will be occupied by wind farms. With respect to societal acceptance and common sense, co-use of these areas is preferable. The NSF#1 aims to become the blueprint for successfully implementing co-use in wind farms. This is not a plan; it has already started with the first offshore operations that provide valuable lessons learned for future co-use initiatives
