The goal of the Interreg Italy-Croatia BEYOND project is to establish a knowledge base that showcases the natural, technical, and legislative environment for the use of offshore wind energy in four pilot regions.
Due to the specific characteristics of the Adriatic Sea, the goal of the BEYOND project is to define a model for inclusive offshore wind farms that is not focused on maximizing electricity production but on maximizing the combined production effects of all available blue economy sectors in the respective area, as well as protecting and improving the marine ecosystem, making it acceptable and desirable for all stakeholders.
Offshore wind farms are a crucial segment in the evolution of the energy sector towards a more sustainable future, with significant impacts on the local and global economy. Investments in offshore wind farm projects not only stimulate economic development by creating new jobs but also drive industrial growth and encourage innovative research. Local communities have the opportunity to leverage these projects as generators of long-term direct and indirect employment, as well as catalysts for developing various ancillary activities related to electricity production, such as tourism attractions or research centers.
Despite numerous advantages, it is important to properly manage the challenges arising from the construction and operational functioning of offshore wind farms Restrictions on navigation or fishing, as well as the need for satellite navigation of vessels operating in the wind farm area, require careful planning and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure economic benefits, maritime safety, and environmental preservation. Management of offshore wind farm projects should be based on cooperation, transparency, and sustainability to achieve maximum positive effects for the local community.
Four regions located in the north, central, and southern Adriatic have been defined as pilot regions for the project, where such systems will be modeled. This will be done at micro-locations most suitable not only for the synergistic development of blue economy sectors but also for offshore green hydrogen production and integration into current and future European green Hydrogen Valleys.
The potential to reduce pollution risks associated with maritime transport in the highly sensitive environment of the semi-enclosed Adriatic Sea through the transition to green hydrogen as an energy source for maritime transport is particularly interesting to the BEYOND project and represents an approach with high future capitalization value.
The project is implemented by eight project partners: IRENA – Istrian Regional Energy Agency as the leading partner, National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics – OGS, Apulia Region, University of Rijeka – Faculty od Engineering, Split-Dalmatia County, T2i – Technology Transfer and Innovation s.c.a.r.l., SINLOC SpA and Ministry of Regional develompent and EU funds, The project also includes the Hydrocarbon Agency as an associated partner.
The project started on March 1, 2024, and will run until August 31, 2026, with a total budget of 1,760,015.50 euro, of which 80% is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
