On February the 4th , ULTFARMS had the pleasure of participating in the Innovatum webinar on multi-use in offshore wind farms. As offshore wind energy expands across Europe, integrating low-trophic aquaculture (LTA) is becoming a promising and sustainable approach to optimizing the use of marine space. The session highlighted key projects demonstrating how aquaculture and offshore wind energy can coexist, enhance biodiversity, and create new economic opportunities.
The discussion focused on the potential of multi-use in offshore environments and featured insights from three pioneering European projects: OLAMUR, ULTFARMS, and Multi-Use for More Seafood. Each project is actively developing solutions for integrating seaweed and shellfish cultivation within wind farms, ensuring both environmental and economic benefits.
Key Takeaways from Multi-Use Projects Across Europe
OLAMUR
The OLAMUR project is exploring multi-use low-trophic aquaculture within offshore wind farms in the North and Baltic Seas. By establishing pilot sites where seaweed and blue mussels are grown within wind farms or near trout farms, OLAMUR aims to enhance biodiversity while contributing to sustainable food production. This initiative leverages dormant offshore spaces during the winter season, demonstrating how multi-use solutions can make marine resources more productive.
[View OLAMUR’s presentation here]
ULTFARMS
The ULTFARMS project, is developing innovative LTA systems designed to withstand harsh offshore conditions and low-salinity environments in 6 pilots located among the Baltic and the North Sea.
The project integrates engineering, ecological, and biological advancements to optimize sustainable seafood production within offshore wind farms.
By focusing on scalable, profitable, and environmentally sound production models, ULTFARMS is working towards a future where offshore wind farms can also serve as productive aquaculture sites.
[Check out the ULTFARMS presentation here]
Multi-Use for More Seafood
The Multi-Use for More Seafood project in Sweden serves as a neutral collaboration platform to connect stakeholders across the seafood industry. Its goal is to strengthen seafood production value chains and facilitate the development of multi-use solutions that align with offshore wind energy. By fostering cross-sector dialogue and supporting innovations in sustainable aquaculture, the project is helping to build capacity for food production at sea while ensuring coexistence with other marine activities.
[Check out the Multi-Use for More Seafood presentation here]
What’s Next? The Future of Multi-Use in Offshore Wind Farms
This webinar reinforced the importance of integrating aquaculture with offshore wind energy to support marine biodiversity, sustainable food production, and economic resilience. As the demand for renewable energy and seafood grows, Ocean multi-use solutions offer a viable way to maximize ocean resources efficiently and sustainably.
ULTFARMS remains committed to advancing offshore aquaculture innovations and collaborating with key partners to drive forward the blue economy. We look forward to continued discussions, knowledge-sharing, and the development of solutions that support a more sustainable and resilient future for our oceans.
