Cadman Capital Group News
21 Jul 2025
RWE and The Oyster Restoration Company complete feasibility project for large-scale native oyster restoration
- RWE and TORC prove oyster reef restoration is feasible within offshore wind farms
- Six-month study delivers blueprint for guiding the deployment of biodiversity gains at scale
- Project paves the way for net-positive marine impact across UK and European waters
21 July 2025
RWE, one of the UK’s leading energy generators and The Oyster Restoration Company (TORC) have successfully completed a feasibility program that proves large-scale native oyster reef restoration can be executed inside offshore wind farms across European waters. This is a step forward for offshore wind developers that are seeking credible, scalable, and verifiable biodiversity solutions at large scale.
Over the six months of the feasibility testing, RWE and The Oyster Restoration Company jointly developed: substrate testing and ecological assessments, reef-base engineering solutions and the evaluation of deployment logistics, the analysis of the permitting and regulatory pathways and the blueprint for a monitoring and verification frameworks.
Flat oysters are an important species because they can create reefs that provide food and breeding grounds for many other species. Due to the harmful impacts of factors such as overfishing, pollution, and parasites, only 5% of the pre-industrial population remains across the North Sea. This project is a research initiative carried out at TORC’s hatchery in Scotland with the aim to evaluate different natural and artificial hard substrates, such as shells or bricks, and to decide which could deployed to maximize the creation of new reefs.
“The question is no longer if we can restore oysters at scale offshore” said Dr Nik Sachlikidis, CEO of The Oyster Restoration Company. “Together with RWE, we’ve combined hatchery capacity, engineering know-how, and science to deliver a pathway for measurable biodiversity gain. Practically, affordably, and now.”
Dr Umberto Binetti, Marine Biodiversity Expert at RWE, added: “By acting early, RWE is increasing its preparedness for contributing to benefit marine biodiversity in relation to offshore wind projects. What we have accomplished with The Oyster Restoration Company sets the basis to speed up the deployment process, and provides a tool to facilitate the engagement with all the relevant stakeholders
The learnings from this project is expected to support Offshore Wind’s ambitions to contribute to the restoration of important marine habitats across wide areas of the North Sea in the UK and beyond. These efforts are key to driving progress towards Offshore Wind’s target of achieving a net-positive contribution to biodiversity.
Notes to editors
For further enquiries:
Kelly Nye
Media Relations
RWE Offshore Wind GmbH
T +44 7795354552
E kelly.nye@rwe.com
About RWE:
RWE is leading the way to a modern energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. Thanks to its integrated portfolio of renewables, battery storage and flexible generation, as well as its broad project pipeline of possible new builds, RWE is well positioned to address the growing global demand for electricity, particularly driven by further electrification and artificial intelligence. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose - Our energy for a sustainable life.
About The Oyster Restoration Company:
The Oyster Restoration Company is an aquaculture firm based in Aultbea, in Mellon Charles, North-West Scotland. It was launched in 2022, and is dedicated to restoring and protecting native oyster habitats across UK and the rest of Europe's coastal waters to support marine biodiversity, enhance ecosystem health, and combat climate change. Combining science-led restoration techniques with innovative partnerships, the company works alongside conservation bodies, coastal communities, and industry to re-establish sustainable oyster populations. Through its mission, The Oyster Restoration Company plays a vital role in regenerating natural habitats, improving water quality, and promoting resilient marine ecosystems for future generations. It aims to produce 150 million disease-free, bio-secure oysters annually in the facility.
For more information, visit www.oysterrestorationcompany.co.uk.
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