As diverse as the species to be protected.

In line with the energy transition, political directives set increasingly ambitious expansion targets for offshore wind energy. Our environmental expertise ensures that the construction of new offshore wind farms aligns with nature and environmental conservation objectives. Together with our project partners, we oversee all phases, from baseline data collection to monitoring activities during the construction and operational phases of the wind farms. We also carry out all investigations specified in the Standard Investigation Concept (StUK) of the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), focusing on the marine environment. Acting as expert representatives for our clients, we guide them through every stage of the project until completion. The systematic, long-term collection of large-scale data on the marine environment helps us and our clients better understand the ecological impacts. This enables the implementation of measures and plans to expand offshore wind energy in harmony with nature and the environment. For more information, please visit the website of our environmental planning consortium for offshore wind farms at www.offshore-umweltplanung.de.

What begins at sea continues on land: Once HVDC systems make landfall, they are routed as underground cables to large substations, where the electricity is then fed into the AC grid networks and ultimately reaches end consumers. These substations are often located deep inland and are connected to the landward side via long underground cable systems. For these projects, we prepare everything from feasibility and pilot studies for the basic route planning to obtaining the necessary approvals, including all environmental documentation for cables and stations. To ensure the routing is as conflict-free as possible in every respect, complex analyses and preliminary considerations are required, alongside professional support for stakeholder communication and legal proceedings.

In addition to high-voltage direct current transmission, the expansion of the AC network (typically in the form of overhead lines) is underway to meet the growing demands for electrical load distribution. For over a decade, we have been preparing the necessary environmental assessments for these complex, large-scale projects and supporting our clients at every stage, from spatial planning to the planning approval procedure. Since electricity does not stop at state or national borders, we regularly contribute to such large-scale projects nationwide and, occasionally, in neighbouring countries.

The expansion of wind energy is advancing steadily, not only offshore but also in inland areas. Since the first wind energy boom in the early 2000s, we have been working with numerous developers in the northern federal states and across Germany, preparing environmental assessments, conducting the necessary preliminary studies and supporting the approval processes. A significant focus of this lies in addressing species protection issues, particularly birds and bats. We continue to guide our clients through the evolving regulatory framework for species and habitat protection, as well as the impact mitigation regulations, as part of the planning and approval processes for these projects.