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The “Green Energy Meets Blue Food” project

Overview

Increasing pressure for offshore renewable energy brings a growing need for research and guidance on marine and maritime spatial planning and governance strategies that enable the sustainable coexistence of primarily offshore wind energy and marine food production.

The “Green Energy Meets Blue Food – Sustainable Coexistence in Nordic Seas” project was financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers for Fisheries, Aquaculture, Food and Forestry (EK- FJLS) and ran from 2024 to early 2026.

The overall goal of the project was to contribute to a shared knowledge base for the Nordic countries by enhancing understanding of sustainable coexistence between renewable energy and marine food sectors, with a focus on offshore wind and fisheries. It investigated the existing conditions for managing trade-offs, conflicts and synergies between these sectors – primarily within MSP frameworks – from a governance perspective and in a Nordic context.

The overall aim of the project was to contribute to a common knowledge base for the Nordic countries, by providing an increased understanding of sustainable coexistence between renewable energy and marine food sectors, focusing on offshore wind and fisheries. The project’s intention was to provide insights into how Nordic countries can effectively address potential conflicts between green and blue sectors, promote synergies and foster improved cooperation and collaboration. Read more about the project: Green Energy Meets Blue Food | Nordregio

Project aim and scope

The project examined how conflicts and synergies between offshore renewable energy and marine food production have been managed within Nordic MSP and governance frameworks. Key questions included how coexistence between these sectors has been described in research, how governance systems have addressed conflicts and synergies, how these issues have been handled in different geographical areas, and what Nordic countries can learn from one another regarding policy frameworks, governance mechanisms and knowledge exchange.

The project primarily focused on offshore wind energy and its interactions with fisheries, although other marine energy sources were considered where relevant. Both commercial and recreational fisheries were included, depending on context. Governance approaches were studied from a multi-level perspective, covering pan-Nordic, national, regional and local levels. The geographical scope comprised all the Nordic countries, with the final selection defined during the first analytical stage.

Project design and research methods

The project was organised into four main work packages, complemented by an additional package dedicated to management and administration. Throughout all phases, a reference group of experts – both from the Nordic Region and beyond – actively contributed under the coordination of Nordregio. Their involvement ensured policy relevance, helped identify case study areas, facilitated knowledge exchange and supported both Nordic applicability and scientific rigour. The reference group met digitally five times, participated in workshops and provided feedback on draft outputs.

WP 1: Knowledge overview and baseline

This work package provided the foundation for all subsequent project activities, establishing the core framework for the rest of the project. During this phase, a systematic review of scientific literature and policy documents was conducted in spring 2024 to identify typical trade-offs, conflicts and synergies between offshore wind and marine food production. The review also produced country-specific overviews of relevant targets and governance frameworks. Additionally, key concepts were defined, focal sectors selected and criteria developed for choosing and elaborating case studies. Relevant initial stakeholders were identified to support further project activities. This phase also included establishment of the reference group.

WP 2: Case studies

Under this work package, six case studies were conducted across the Nordic Sea basins in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Scotland. These studies explored how governance practices – particularly marine and maritime spatial planning – address trade-offs, conflicts and opportunities for collaboration between sectors, with a focus on offshore wind and fisheries. The case studies employed multiple methods, including document reviews, interviews (both in-person and online) and site visits, where applicable. Through interviews with planners, developers, fishers and policymakers, the project documented how different geographical and institutional contexts shape approaches to coexistence. The case studies also provided deeper insights into factors that facilitate or hinder effective collaboration. The main findings were published as an interactive story map in spring 2025.

WP 3: Nordic workshop on sustainable coexistence: offshore wind and blue food

Initially planned as a multi-session series, the workshop was revised into a single, extended event held at Nordregio’s Stockholm office on 14–15 April, 2025. Drawing on Nordic experiences, the workshop a diverse group of stakeholders from across the Nordic Region and beyond to explore spatial conflicts and opportunities for collaboration between the green energy and blue food sectors, with a focus on long-term sustainable coexistence. Participants discussed collaboration – primarily between offshore wind developers and fisheries – throughout the offshore wind development lifecycle, contributing to the development of practical pathways for Nordic stakeholders. The workshop emphasised the sharing of experiences, challenges and governance-related solutions while fostering collaboration pathways and building networks. Insights generated during the workshop informed a policy brief in autumn 2025, which included recommendations for Nordic planners and decision-makers.

WP 4: Communication and dissemination

This cross-cutting work package focused primarily on communicating and disseminating the project’s outputs. Key activities included publishing story maps based on the case studies, a policy brief and this project background report, complemented by targeted dissemination activities. The project team delivered numerous presentations and participated in relevant events, including a Nordic conference on multi-use under the Swedish chairmanship of the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) in autumn 2024, the first-ever Nordic Marine Spatial Planning forum, under the Finnish NCM chairmanship, the 5th Baltic MSP Forum in Riga in autumn 2025, and the Marine Science Conference, held by the Marine Alliance for Science and Technology for Scotland (MAST) in autumn 2025. One or two webinars are scheduled for early 2026.

WP 5: Project management and administration

The aim of this cross-cutting work package was to ensure effective overall project management and coordination. This also included administering the reference group, comprising approximately 10 experts who met digitally throughout the project, and liaising regularly with the project contacts at the Nordic Council of Ministers.