JNCC is pleased to announce the launch of the third phase of the Offshore Wind Strategic Monitoring and Research Forum (OWSMRF).
OWSMRF will continue to support the UK’s dual ambition to combat climate change and biodiversity loss. As offshore renewable energy capacity increases in UK waters, there is a need to understand the potential cumulative environmental effects and how any effects may be mitigated. Uncertainty in impact assessments can lead to delays in offshore wind project consenting decisions, therefore holding up the rapid roll out of offshore renewable energy that is needed to achieve net zero targets by 2050. Marine birds will be the focus of the third phase of OWSMRF, given the emphasis placed on the conservation of these species in offshore wind assessments.
The Forum is funded by six offshore wind developers – EDF Renewables UK, Equinor, Ørsted, ScottishPower Renewables, SSE Renewables and TotalEnergies – and is coordinated and delivered by JNCC. Bringing together a collaborative partnership comprised of the UK’s nature conservation advisors, regulators, NGOs, experts and wider offshore wind stakeholders, OWSMRF aims to facilitate the delivery of robust scientific evidence that will provide greater certainty around the cumulative effects of both existing and near-future offshore wind development on marine birds in the UK.
Phase 3 of OWSMRF builds on the previous successes of the Forum, as well as existing relationships and synergies with other UK strategic research initiatives. Over the past six years, working together has led to the delivery of high-priority research on kittiwakes and Procellariiforms (Manx shearwater and storm-petrels), funded for example by the Offshore Wind Evidence and Change (OWEC) programme and the Offshore Renewables Joint Industry Programme (ORJIP).
As OWSMRF reconvenes for another phase, the Forum will take a strategic look at future potential issues in all UK marine regions, facilitating the identification of evidence gaps and high-priority research to improve understanding of ecological impacts on marine bird populations. Forum partners will agree which research ideas should be developed into detailed proposals and the Forum will work closely with other UK-based offshore wind strategic research programmes to look for efficiencies, avoid duplication and proactively promote the identified research areas.
Lise Ruffino, Senior Marine Ornithologist with JNCC, said: “It is fantastic to see Phase 3 of OWSMRF getting off the ground. We are grateful to our offshore wind developer sponsors and community of stakeholders for their continuous support, and are looking forward to working with all our partners again. A lot has happened in recent years, great research is underway, but to overcome future challenges, we need to continue working closely together and learn from each other. One of the first tasks that OWSMRF Phase 3 will be focusing on is to take stock of UK marine ornithology issues, before moving forward with identifying strategic priority needs.”
Phase 3 of OWSMRF will run for 18 months, with final outputs being distributed by summer 2026. Forum partners welcome engagement with other organisations interested in their work. Forum partners and Key Stakeholders will be engaging imminently, and future plans will be announced in due course.