Eolus commits to work towards the protection of the Baltic Sea in its activities relating to offshore wind projects

1

Eolus works to identify and minimize the effects of seabed construction on underwater marine life at the wind turbine foundations, around cable corridors and landing points. Environmental aspects play a significant role in all decision-making, including the selection of business partners and suppliers.

HOW EOLUS DOES IT:

Eolus welcomes support from expert organizations and will organize workshops with partners (on national level) to identify the most significant topics. The topics may vary depending on the area and site, but some of the most common ones are underwater noise, migrating species and Baltic Sea key species. Through this cooperation Eolus will also support shared knowledge development.

The first workshop to be realized will be in Finland in 2023 and expert organizations such as Metsähallitus, the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), Turku University of Applied Sciences (underwater noise) and Baltic Sea Action Group (BSAG). The Environmental Impact Assessment consultant will also be integrated in the process.

Similar workshops will be also organized in other countries where Eolus has offshore wind projects. The knowledge from the workshops will be shared within Eolus to support the sustainable project development in other countries.

HOW EOLUS MEASURES IT:

Eolus will start with defining some qualitative KPIs and once there is more understanding on how to measure biodiversity, quantitative KPIs will be defined. Eolus is seeking more understanding on the KPIs by participating the CLIMB project (2022-23), Changing Land Use Impact on Biodiversity, by Ecogain.

Progress will be assessed through annual meetings with BSAG.

2

Eolus increases knowledge and public awareness of (1) the effects of offshore wind power construction on the marine environments, (2) the possibilities to manage the effects in the best way, and (3) the positive impact of renewables to the Baltic Sea.

HOW EOLUS DOES IT:

Eolus will design and implement a research grant which benefits the Baltic Sea, supporting the topics identified together with the research organisations and the BSAG. The intention is to launch the grant in 2024 and to have an annual application process for the grant. Eolus will also consider sharing the data gathered during the environmental impact assessment processes for research purposes.

Eolus will cooperate with schools, universities and research organisations by providing case studies and visiting lecturers on the goal’s contents.

In terms of increasing awareness, Eolus will publish news articles, blogs and social media posts through various media channels.

Eolus will also assess potential to share results in industrial working groups (e.g. Wind Europe, national wind energy associations).

HOW EOLUS MEASURES IT:

• Eolus has designed and launched the grant by 2024.
• Eolus cooperates with schools by conducting at least 2 school visits per year.
• Eolus provides a news article / blog / social media post quarterly on the goal’s contents.
• Eolus will internally inform the Eolus organisation on the progress of the commitment e.g. through Eolus intranet and internal meetings.

3

Eolus works to minimize the environmental impacts of maritime traffic during the development, construction, and operation of the offshore wind farms.

HOW EOLUS DOES IT:

Eolus is applying a life-cycle aspect on all our decision-making. Eolus will clarify the requirements in the procurement process (e.g. renewing the Code of Conduct and supplier contracts). Eolus is considering impacts on climate and marine environment in cooperation with suppliers covering e.g. GHG emissions, sewage and noise pollution. Eolus is instructing operators and requiring responsibility through the procurement processes.

HOW EOLUS MEASURES IT:

• Eolus will develop the environmental reporting system to be applied for offshore wind development and construction.
• Eolus will develop the supplier policies and contracts during 2023.

4

Eolus participates in projects and activities which contribute to the wellbeing of the Baltic Sea.

HOW EOLUS DOES IT:

Eolus will actively participate in the projects that are linked to Eolus’ Baltic Sea Commitment. Additionally, Eolus will also participate in and proactively launch activities supporting the wellbeing of the Baltic Sea. Some examples of potential activities: collecting plastic from the sea, supporting ecosystem restoration projects.

HOW EOLUS MEASURES IT:

• To be clarified in the coming years.