Source: European Parliament
In line with the precautionary principle set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and applicable EU legislation[1], it is essential to carry out an assessment of the likely effects of certain projects, including offshore renewable energy projects, on the environment before an authorisation or permit is granted.
This is important in order to ensure that any likely significant impacts on the environment are avoided, prevented or reduced. The Offshore Renewable Energy Strategy[2] aims to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account when developing and executing offshore renewable energy projects.
Authorising renewable energy projects is the responsibility of Member States which must ensure that relevant EU and national legislation is complied with during the construction and operation of such projects.
The Commission supports research and monitoring to better understand and minimise the environmental impacts of offshore renewable energy projects[3].
This includes studies on the long-term effects of heavy metals and microplastics in marine environments[4], as well as the impacts of construction activities on marine habitats[5].
- [1] Such as Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1-21, Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50, Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p. 7-25, Directive 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 311, 31.10.2014, p. 32-35.
- [2] https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/renewable-energy/offshore-renewable-energy_en.
- [3] HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-08 — Understand and minimise the environmental impacts of offshore wind energy — https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL5-2026-02-D3-08?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502,31094503&frameworkProgramme=43108390&callIdentifier=HORIZON-CL5-2026-02&order=ASC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=identifier.
- [4] Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Publications Office of the European Union and CORDIS, CORDIS results pack on ocean plastic pollution, 2024: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/2ad04024-d20e-11ee-b9d9-01aa75ed71a1/language-en.
- [5] Such as the North Sea Interreg project dedicated to risk of chemical release in the offshore wind industry, https://www.interregnorthsea.eu/anemoi.