Unlocking multi-use synergies
Spanish industry perspectives on offshore wind and aquaculture integration
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21520496 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Carlos V C Weiss (0000-0002-6777-5527, Universidad de Cantabria, corresponding author), Bárbara Ondiviela (0000-0001-6902-1166, Universidad de Cantabria, corresponding author), Elvira Ramos (0000-0002-2613-5865, Universidad de Cantabria), Lucía Meneses (0000-0002-5007-0424, Universidad de Cantabria), Raúl Guanche (0000-0001-9768-1727, Universidad de Cantabria), José A Juanes (0000-0003-1825-2858, Universidad de Cantabria), José Juanes |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 180 |
| Pages | 106786 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Marine Policy (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0308-597X • E-ISSN: 1872-9460 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.marpol.2025.106786 |
| OpenAlex | W4411053523 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 50 |
The expansion of the blue economy requires sustainable solutions for optimizing marine resource use. The multi-use approach, increasingly integrated into Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), foster synergies between sectors such as wind energy and aquaculture. However, its implementation remains limited. This study develops a multi-use assessment framework for floating offshore wind energy and aquaculture, providing a national sectoral perspective to support MSP policy formulation through stakeholder-informed recommendations. The framework consists of three steps: i) technical suitability analysis; ii) evaluation of sectoral perceptions, and iii) SWOT analysis. By integrating technical suitability assessments—including energy production, energy evacuation, species requirements, structural survivability, and operation and maintenance—with stakeholder surveys and workshops, the framework provides a structured basis for advancing policy strategies. Technical analyses indicate significant multi-use potential within the Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone. Floating wind energy emerges as a driving activity in high-energy offshore areas, while aquaculture drives multi-use development in more sheltered zones. Stakeholders recognize economic and operational synergies, betting on the development of symbiotic multi-use in the short term. However, regulatory fragmentation, administrative barriers and environmental impact uncertainties are underscored challenges. The findings emphasize the need for coordinated regulatory frameworks and enhanced cross-sector collaboration to integrate multi-use into national maritime policies. The study provides a decision-support framework for policymakers and industry stakeholders to enhance governance and spatial planning strategies for offshore multi-use development
Aquaculture · Biology · Business · Environmental planning · Environmental resource management · Fish · Fishery · Offshore wind power · Submarine pipeline · Wind power · Arctic and Russian Policy Studies · Coastal and Marine Management · Environmental Science · Marine and Offshore Engineering Studies · Ecology · Geology · Oceanography
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| Highly cited | No |
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