RWE Unveils Global Contest to Foster Coexistence and Biodiversity in Offshore Wind

RWE Unveils Global Contest to Foster Coexistence and Biodiversity in Offshore Wind

(IN BRIEF) RWE, a leading player in offshore wind energy, has initiated its inaugural “Floating Wind Co-use Competition,” aimed at fostering sustainable innovation in the field. The competition seeks proposals from start-ups, research institutes, and individuals globally to promote coexistence with other sea users and enhance biodiversity in floating offshore wind projects. Winning entries will collaborate with RWE experts, access monetary research grants, and contribute to the development of global floating wind farms. RWE is committed to developing cost-competitive commercial-scale floating offshore wind projects worldwide and is actively involved in several high-profile demonstration projects across regions.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 16-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE AG (ETR: RWE), a German multinational energy company, announces the launch of its inaugural “Floating Wind Co-use Competition,” marking a significant step toward promoting co-existence with other sea users and enhancing biodiversity. Committed to accelerating the development and demonstration of innovative, sustainable solutions tailored to floating offshore wind projects, RWE invites participation from start-ups, scale-ups, research institutes, and individuals worldwide.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO RWE Offshore Wind: “We are one of the world leaders in offshore wind and are diligently working on innovation. We see sustainability and biodiversity enhancement as integral parts during the development, construction and operation of our wind farms. We have installed the world’s first recyclable rotor blades, signed an agreement for ‘green’ fuel service operation vessels and we are looking into artificial reefs to enhance biodiversity – to name only a few examples. Now, we want to further promote new technology and new ideas for floating offshore wind, which especially supporting our strategy to build biodiversity net positive offshore wind farms in future.”

Driving Progress in Two Vital Areas: Biodiversity and Coexistence

RWE’s competition focuses on two critical domains: enhancing co-existence with other sea-based activities, particularly fisheries, and minimizing the environmental impact on wildlife while achieving a net-positive impact on biodiversity. The company seeks innovative proposals that simultaneously benefit local marine stakeholders, preserve the marine ecosystem, and provide positive opportunities for communities.

Contributing to Sustainable Global Floating Offshore Wind Farms

Winning entries will have the opportunity to collaborate with RWE’s in-house experts and global development teams, which are spearheading floating wind projects in Europe, Asia, and America. Additionally, the winners will receive monetary research grants to further develop their pioneering ideas.

Leading the Path to Competitive Commercial-Scale Floating Wind

RWE’s overarching ambition is to safely develop, build, and operate cost-competitive commercial-scale floating offshore wind projects worldwide. The company is actively engaged in two prominent demonstration projects in Spain and Norway, securing a commercial-scale floating wind lease off the Californian coast. RWE has also submitted a bid for the Brittany South auction, pre-qualified for the Mediterranean auction in France, and is gearing up to participate in the Utsira Nord floating wind tender in Norway and the Celtic Sea auction in the UK. Moreover, RWE is exploring opportunities in floating wind across various European markets, America, and the APAC region.

This “Floating Wind Co-use Competition” underscores RWE’s unwavering commitment to fostering sustainable innovation, coexistence, and biodiversity enhancement as it propels the floating offshore wind industry toward a greener and more sustainable future.

Call for innovations

Participants can submit their proposal until 31^st December 2023 at 11:59 p.m. (CEST).

Further information about the competition and the submission form can be found at www.rwe.com/floating-wind-competition.

Pictures of RWE’s floating wind projects are available at the RWE Media Centre.

Media contact:

Sarah Knauber
Renewables
T +49 (0) 201 5179-5404

SOURCE: RWE AG