Impact I - reliable and low-cost energy system.
A case study of the planned Dutch wind farm Ten Noorden van de Waddeneilanden, which was modelled as a multi-source park with offshore wind, wave and offshore solar energy, results in an increase of 21% of exported electricity. Compared to a wind-only scenario, the multi-source park could shorten the longest period of exported electricity below 20% of the export cable capacity from 6 consecutive days to 1.5 days. A continuous power output makes it possible to match supply and demand at any time, thereby providing a higher value for industrial processes, energy service providers and the production of green hydrogen. A case study of a combined wind-wave farm off the Portuguese coast shows that 42-56% reduction in LCOH could be observed. Energy system analyses of the EU showed that electricity storage requirements could be decreased by 2.3% in a best-policy scenario with high ORE. For Iberia, the effect was even stronger reaching a reduction in electricity storage requirements of 11% by 2050. The combined deployment of ORE reduces reliance on large-scale energy storage and grid reinforcement by smoothing temporal and spatial variability in electricity generation. Increased electricity availability throughout the year implies less reliance on long-term fuel storage and balance, reduced operational uncertainties, and increased security of supply in a system dominated by variable renewable energy. Learning rate models show that the LCOE of ORE could decrease substantially until 2050 given an expansion of deployed capacity. This makes the EU energy system more reliable and affordable.
Impact II - efficient and sustainable use of available offshore space.
During the three Policy Summits about maritime spatial planning, permitting, and subsidies that took place in January 2023 (The Hague), July 2024 (Brussels) and July 2025 (Porto), and other (bilateral) consultations, DG ENER, DG ENV, DG MARE and DG RTD and ministries and policymakers from the following countries were reached: Belgium, Ireland, Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands, UK. Advisory guidelines for 8 countries (BE, IE, IT, DE, FR, NL, PT, UK) have been published about optimal tender design and permitting processes and documents about MSP and subsidies are close to completion.
Combining offshore wind with offshore solar and wave energy can increase the extracted energy density by 22%, as demonstrated in a case study in the Dutch North Sea. To achieve the same annual exported electricity as the wind-only farm, the multi-source farm would require about 18% less space. Environmental impact assessments at the demonstration sites are evaluating the impact of offshore solar and wave energy systems co-located with offshore wind on the natural habitats.
Impact III - improved business case and increased investment incentive.
OOE achieved the first DNV Statement of Conformity for an offshore solar system and installed a monitored PV-system in the Port of Ostend in May 2024. The system has been operational for 9 months.
CPO demonstrated its first complete ocean cycle, from installation and commissioning over testing to retrieval and on-land upgrades. The deployment of the first full-scale C4 showed better than expected performance data increasing the theoretical annual expected electricity production per next generation device.
A study on the techno-financials of a planned Dutch wind park provides insights in the cost reductions for a North Sea specific case. It shows CAPEX reductions per MW 7-29% when integrating both offshore solar and wave energy.
Based on a future electricity market model for the Netherlands, revenues in 2030 for offshore solar-wave-wind parks are expected to increase by 31%. In 2050, the increase in revenue will be slightly slower at 28%.
