Ecological Assessment of Floating Offshore Wind Farms in the Mediterranean Sea: Implications for Vulnerable Species Conservation

The urgent need for renewable energy sources like offshore wind farms to combat global warming is widely acknowledged. To this effect, understanding their impact on ocean biodiversity is crucial, given their potential to disrupt marine ecosystems and harm vulnerable species amidst the biodiversity crisis. While the Mediterranean region has abundant wind resources and proximity to high-energy demand areas, offshore wind energy development is still in its early stages. As part of the push for a low-carbon economy, the Mediterranean holds promise to accelerate its offshore wind potential, utilizing cutting-edge technologies like floating offshore wind farms. AIM: To assess potential impacts of different floating offshore wind farm technologies in the Mediterranean Sea, focusing on effects on vulnerable species.BIOPAIS has the support of the Biodiversity Foundation from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR), financed by the European Union - NextGenerationEU