RWE and TORC Forge Blueprint for Offshore Oyster Reef Restoration in North Sea Wind Farms

RWE and TORC Forge Blueprint for Offshore Oyster Reef Restoration in North Sea Wind Farms

(IN BRIEF) RWE and The Oyster Restoration Company completed a six‑month feasibility study confirming that native oyster reefs can be restored at scale within North Sea offshore wind farms. Conducted at TORC’s Scottish hatchery, the research tested substrates like shells and bricks to determine optimal reef‑building materials. Flat oyster populations, now just 5 percent of their former size due to human pressures, can be revived affordably and verifiably through this partnership. Dr Nik Sachlikidis of TORC and Dr Thomas Michel of RWE highlighted the project’s role in advancing net‑positive biodiversity strategies for the offshore wind industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) SWINDON, 21-Jul-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE, a global leader in offshore wind energy, and The Oyster Restoration Company (TORC) have concluded a six‑month feasibility study proving that large‑scale restoration of native oyster reefs can be successfully integrated within offshore wind farm operations in the North Sea. This collaborative effort charts a course for the broader industry to deploy scalable, verifiable biodiversity enhancements alongside clean energy production.

Over the duration of the project, RWE and TORC developed and tested robust methodologies—from engineered deployment techniques to scientific verification frameworks—at TORC’s Scottish hatchery. Their research compared various natural and artificial hard substrates, such as oyster shells and specially designed bricks, identifying optimal materials and configurations for fostering new reef formation.

Flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) are vital ecosystem engineers, supporting diverse marine life by creating reef habitats. Yet today, only 5 percent of their historical North Sea populations survive, victims of overfishing, pollution, and disease. By combining TORC’s hatchery expertise with RWE’s offshore engineering capabilities, the partners have established a practical, cost‑effective blueprint for restoring oyster populations at sea.

Dr Nik Sachlikidis, CEO of TORC, commented: “The era of questioning if offshore oyster restoration is possible is behind us. In partnership with RWE, we’ve delivered a clear, measurable pathway to boost marine biodiversity—practically, affordably, and effectively.”

Dr Thomas Michel, COO Offshore Wind at RWE, added: “This pioneering initiative enhances our capacity to not only mitigate environmental impacts but to actively enrich marine habitats. We now possess a verifiable tool that underpins RWE’s commitment to achieving net‑positive biodiversity outcomes around our offshore projects.”

The insights gained will equip offshore wind operators across the UK and Europe with guidelines to restore critical marine environments, advancing the sector’s collective goal of delivering net‑positive marine impacts.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a modern energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. Thanks to its integrated portfolio of renewables, battery storage and flexible generation, as well as its broad project pipeline of possible new builds, RWE is well positioned to address the growing global demand for electricity, particularly driven by further electrification and artificial intelligence. RWE is decarbonising its business in
line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose – Our energy for a sustainable life

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Media Relations
RWE Offshore Wind GmbH
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SOURCE: RWE