Research database

Offshore wind energy potential is paramount in the European energy industry and contributes to a more sustainable and secure energy production, e.g. as highlighted by the European Commission in the offshore renewable energy strategy COM/741(2020). Nevertheless, offshore wind farms have not yet taken off in the Mediterranean, mainly because of technological barriers such as a deep seabed. Recent technological advances are leading to the use of floating offshore wind turbines, which can be deployed in many areas of the Mediterranean but need the support of authorities and policy makers for selection of sites and financial incentives. Main novelty of the project is the development of a multi-level and transversal marine spatial planning WebGIS tool which will support stakeholders such as public authorities, energy agencies (e.g. FEDARENE, MEDENER) and SMEs (active in the field of marine energy) in decision-making of suitable locations, offshore wind technologies and energy transfer solutions. A maritime datahub will also be consolidated in the project involving relevant stakeholders and policymakers for an effective coordinated action towards a decarbonised future which accounts the regulatory framework and the marine spatial planning strategies of Mediterranean countries (European MSP Platform). The project originally faces all these challenges and integrates solutions for marine spatial planning in an effective tool which is not limited to resource assessment and constraints but will assess and compare technologies in a techno-economic and energy perspectives. Transnational cooperation is required during project for best cooperation and coordination between stakeholders which will benefit the uptake of new technologies and for best integration of policies between different countries for an offshore wind industry development. Energy security requires a geographically spread energy production and will need to account energy needs from each country.