Wier & Wind 2 launches: advancing seaweed cultivation in offshore wind farms

The North Sea is playing an increasingly important role in the transition towards renewable energy. At the same time, interest is growing in seaweed as a renewable resource for food, agriculture, materials and other bio-based applications.

However, space at sea is limited. It is therefore essential to explore how different activities can take place safely, efficiently and in combination with one another.

Wier & Wind 2 focuses on this form of multi-use. Within the project, organisations from the Netherlands and Flanders will work together on the knowledge, technologies and practical solutions required to cultivate and process seaweed in and around offshore wind farms.

From research to practical solutions

Cultivating seaweed between offshore wind turbines offers significant opportunities but also presents complex challenges.

Cultivation systems must be able to withstand demanding offshore conditions. Operations must be carried out safely and efficiently, while harvesting, logistics and processing need to be closely aligned in order to create a viable value chain.

Within Wier & Wind 2, the partnership brings together expertise in areas including:

• offshore seaweed cultivation;
• maritime technology and offshore operations;
• harvesting and processing;
• research and knowledge development;
• value-chain collaboration and market development;
• the policy and operational conditions required for future scaling.

The project will not only examine individual technologies. It will also explore how the entire chain can function effectively, from offshore cultivation and harvesting to processing and potential applications for the harvested biomass.

Cross-border collaboration

The challenges surrounding offshore seaweed cultivation do not stop at national borders.

The Netherlands and Flanders have complementary expertise in offshore technology, aquaculture, processing, research and innovation. By bringing this knowledge together, the project aims to accelerate the development, testing and sharing of practical solutions.

The project partnership consists of:

• European Seaweed Association;
• Boeg BV;
• CIV Den Oever;
• HZ University of Applied Sciences;
• ILVO;
• Kaayman-Group;
• Murre Technologies;
• De Blauwe Cluster.

The European Seaweed Association acts as the project lead. Together, the partners combine academic knowledge with operational and technological expertise from across the sector.

Sharing knowledge with the sector

Throughout the project, developments, experiences and results will be shared with companies, research institutions, public authorities and other interested parties.

The project will communicate not only what proves technically possible, but also the practical lessons learned along the way.

Stakeholder activities will be widely announced and made accessible to interested parties. Relevant project results will also be made publicly available. Certain outputs developed within Work Package 6 must be made available free of charge to all interested parties, regardless of the sector in which they operate.

Through this Interreg website, we will share updates on:

• major project milestones;
• research and practical trials;
• events and stakeholder workshops;
• publications and project results;
• insights from the participating partners.

The project is under way

The official Wier & Wind 2 kick-off meeting took place in Naaldwijk on 7 July 2026.

Over the coming period, the partners will begin work on the first project activities. One central ambition will guide the collaboration: to identify what is needed to move seaweed cultivation within offshore wind farms from a promising concept towards a safe, practical and future-proof activity.

Check the Interreg website for updates on Wier & Wind 2.

Wier & Wind 2 is supported through the Interreg Flanders–Netherlands programme and co-funded by the European Union.