Nature Inclusive Design for an artificial energy island – from ideation to implementation

For its construction, an innovative approach incorporating Nature-Inclusive Design (NID) was adopted. In collaboration with experts in nature conservation, marine restoration, and ecology,

Elia — the Belgian transmission system operator — developed targeted measures to enhance biodiversity and support marine ecosystems around the island. Unlike mitigation measures required by permits to offset negative impacts, NID aims to create additional ecological value by integrating biodiversity-enhancing features into infrastructure design. Applying NID to an artificial energy island is unprecedented, requiring a tailor-made strategy developed through an interdisciplinary co-creation process.

The ideation phase involved an interdisciplinary co-creation process with experts from research institutions, universities, consultancies, and NGOs. This process balanced ecological ambitions with technical, safety, and cost constraints, resulting in a set of interventions above and below the waterline. Proposed measures included bird ledges for black-legged kittiwakes, relief panels for marine organisms, complex scour protection, oyster modules, boulders and gravel beds.

These elements were designed to create diverse habitats and support species restoration, such as European flat oysters.

1 As the detailed design evolved, several challenges emerged. Safety risks, operational limitations, and rising costs led to adjustments and cancellations — most notably the removal of bird ledges. Despite these setbacks, key measures such as complex scour protection, oyster modules, and relief panels remain integral to the project and are being implemented in phases aligned with construction activities.

The experience underscores critical lessons: early integration of NID in design and continuous stakeholder dialogue are essential to reconcile ecological goals with engineering realities.

While not all ambitions could be realized, the remaining measures are expected to deliver significant biodiversity benefits. Furthermore, ongoing monitoring and research will evaluate their effectiveness and inform future offshore projects.

The Princess Elisabeth Island demonstrates that large-scale infrastructure can incorporate nature-inclusive principles when ambition is paired with collaboration and adaptability. This process serves as an example for integrating biodiversity into offshore energy developments, contributing to both the energy transition and marine ecosystem resilience.