DECOMMISSIONING: "Integration of Sustainability, Stakeholder and Process Approaches for Sustainable Offshore Wind Farm Decommissioning" - Spielmann et al., 2021
As offshore wind energy continues to expand as a central element of a climate-neutral energy future, the question of how to sustainably manage the lifecycle of offshore-based infrastructure remains largely unanswered. The article “Integration of Sustainability, Stakeholder and Process Approaches for Sustainable Offshore Wind Farm Decommissioning” by Spielmann et al. (2021) addresses this gap and presents an innovative, holistic framework for designing ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable decommissioning processes for offshore wind farms.
At the heart of the analysis lies the integration of different dimensions of sustainability into the decommissioning process – an area that, to date, has been scarcely operationalised. By systematically combining stakeholder approaches, process-oriented perspectives, and sustainability principles, the study develops a multidimensional model that takes into account both technical and normative aspects. The article emphasises that sustainable decommissioning is not merely a matter of ecological minimisation but is deeply embedded in questions of governance, responsibility, participation, and social acceptance.
Particularly noteworthy is the practical applicability of the proposed model, which offers concrete recommendations for businesses, regulatory authorities, and civil society actors. In doing so, Spielmann et al. make a significant contribution to both the theoretical and practical foundations of sustainable decommissioning policies, while broadening the discursive horizon beyond technical solutions towards a structured and integrative understanding of sustainability.