TenneT's platform Borssele Beta
Innovative structures around platforms for mussel reefs
What are we going to do?
The area around TenneT's offshore platforms can be a suitable location for nature development. In the zone around the platform, we will place hard substrate (in the form of shells) with artificial reef structures on top. On the reefs, made of ecological concrete, squid, rays and sharks, for example, can lay their eggs. Mussels can grow on the ropes. The materials placed provide space for various types of marine animals, such as crabs, anemones and fish. Through monitoring, we learn about the effect on local marine life.
The location
TenneT is building platforms to which the wind farms will be connected. The electricity generated at sea will be transmitted via these platforms to the mainland by cables. The Rich North Sea is working with TenneT in the area of the Borssele Bèta platform to conduct research into nature conservation.
What we hope to learn
In the coming years we will investigate the development of biodiversity around the artificial reefs. Our goal is to learn more about the effects on local marine life through monitoring. In particular, we will look at whether mussel beds are forming around the reefs and whether the reefs are being used by squids, for example, to lay their eggs. We also want to gain knowledge about the effect of the natural substrate itself on the biodiversity and stability of the artificial reefs.
