Tools
SUSTAINOW aims to create practical, publicly available tools that support local authorities, developers, and policymakers in their decision-making processes, specifically for the planning and design of offshore wind farms in a more sustainable way, from start to finish. By providing a transparent framework, these tools also enable communities to better understand and engage with the development process.
These tools will make it easier to share and use marine data across different countries. By reducing harm and promoting positive environmental and social outcomes, SUSTAINOW hopes to ensure offshore wind farms play a key role in clean energy and the broader move toward a greener future.
Access to data is still one of the biggest bottlenecks for offshore wind planning.
The cross-border marine data platform will bring environmental, social and technical data together in a shared marine data space.
By improving access and interoperability across countries, it will help decision-makers move beyond fragmented datasets and towards a more coherent picture of what is happening at sea.
It moreover supports the other two SUSTAINOW tools by providing a comprehensive, high-quality and up-to-date data.
Where offshore wind farms are located matters, for energy production, ecosystems and communities.
The evidence-based siting tool will support planners in identifying locations that are both technically feasible and environmentally and socially sustainable.
By combining multiple data layers and constraints, it will help make trade-offs more transparent and actionable.
The result is a clearer basis for discussion, comparison and justification of siting choices.
The project design tool supports holistic planning by assessing environmental and socio-economic impacts across the full life cycle of offshore wind projects.
From early design choices to long-term effects, to decommissioning, it helps ensure impacts are considered together, rather than in isolation.
This kind of integrated view is essential for building projects that are resilient, acceptable and aligned with long-term sustainability goals.
The tools give authorities, developers, and communities the means to make better-informed decisions, ensuring offshore wind expansion aligns with sustainability goals and benefits both people and nature.
