The need for integrated assessment of large-scale offshore wind farm development

Abstract

This paper describes ongoing developments and future plans regarding the imple- mentation of large offshore wind farms in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the North Sea. Based on these developments, which form an important part of the German energy and emissions reduction policy at the Federal level, po- tential ecological as well as socio-economic impacts of these new permanent structures are described and the need for an Integrated Assessment as part of Inte- grated Coastal Zone Management is outlined. As a regional example for impacts and especially socio-economic opportunities and risks, the North Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein will be used. It is argued that Integrated Assessment should be a prerequisite and Integrated Coastal and Marine Management an accompanying activity for an ecological, economical and socio-cultural sustainable development of this type of generating renewable energy in the North Sea.