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.
“From previous projects, we learned what design would be optimal to give oysters the best chances of survival in a wind farm. We considered all the expected conditions in the Luchterduinen wind farm, including storm conditions, and based on that, we created a new and improved oyster table design.”
– Remment ter Hofstede, Marine Ecologist at Van Oord
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.
The Eneco Luchterduinen wind farm consists of 43 wind turbines and generates green electricity for approximately 150,000 households. The location is ideal for research: it is only 30 to 45 minutes by boat from IJmuiden, making offshore work efficient.
During our first mission, we discovered that the artificial reef design didn’t suit the seabed conditions at the wind farm. The oyster cages were buried under sand, leaving little chance for survival or reproduction. This led us back to the drawing board – and after four years of research with Van Oord, we developed a new oyster table design.
The oysters were placed higher up on the new structure, allowing access to fresh water and protecting them from being buried in sand. The structures are low-maintenance and closely mimic natural environments which allow oysters to reproduce and form reefs. As a result, they also provide safe havens for other marine life.
Installed at Luchterduinen wind farm in 2022, we’re now monitoring these oyster tables using e-DNA, larval samples, and ongoing research. Early results are promising, showing a significant improvement in oyster survival rates. We’ll continue to monitor and build on this knowledge.
"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.”
Four 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.
Read moreIn the Luchterduinen wind farm, the first pilot project of the Rich North Sea commenced in 2018. The aim of the project is to identify the factors influencing the success of nature restoration using oysters and to contribute to a blueprint for the possibilities of nature enhancement in wind farms in the North Sea. In July 2019, a monitoring mission was carried out on this project, on the basis of which a research report was drawn up in collaboration with Wageningen University & Research.
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