Laura Anderson, recently named Scottish Influencer of the Year 2024/25, joined Vattenfall’s Environment and Sustainability team for an exclusive visit to the turbines to hear how renewable energy and biodiversity can thrive together.
- Scottish climate influencer Laura Anderson, also known as Less Waste Laura, has partnered with Vattenfall to tell the story of how offshore wind and nature can thrive together, with exclusive content filmed at Aberdeen Bay Offshore Wind Farm.
- Cutting-edge innovations at Aberdeen Bay including AI-powered bird monitoring and noise-reducing foundation technology are protecting marine life and seabirds whilst advancing renewable energy.
- The partnership highlights Vattenfall’s commitment to sharing how environmental stewardship goes hand in hand with offshore wind.
Laura joined Vattenfall’s Jamie Gathercole, from the Environment and Sustainability team, for an exclusive visit to the turbines demonstrating how renewable energy and biodiversity can thrive together. Her coverage highlights Vattenfall’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation in offshore wind.
Aberdeen Bay is home to a rich variety of marine and bird life, including harbour porpoises, seals, kittiwakes, and gannets. Vattenfall’s Environmental and Sustainability team works closely with marine ecologists and ornithologists to monitor and protect these species. The wind farm’s location and design were selected to minimise disruption to natural habitats, with ongoing studies refining these protections
Laura Anderson said:
'It was incredible to see firsthand how thriving marine life and renewable energy can exist side by side. From porpoises and seabirds to innovative technology that protects their habitats, Aberdeen Bay shows what’s possible when clean energy is built with nature in mind.
I’m so proud to help share this story and spotlight the amazing work being done here to protect our planet and support communities while powering our future.'
Watch the video here.
Innovation in Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation
AI-Powered Bird Monitoring: In partnership with Spoor AI and the British Trust for Ornithology, Vattenfall has trialled stereo-vision cameras to track bird movements around turbines, accurately capturing micro-avoidance behaviour and reducing collision risks.
Noise-Reducing Foundation Technology: Aberdeen Bay employs suction bucket jacket foundations, significantly reducing underwater noise compared to conventional pile-driving, helping protect marine mammals.
Community Engagement: The site hosts beach cleans and stakeholder events, with the Unlock Our Future Fund investing over £1 million in local climate-smart projects.
Electric Workboat Trial: Supported by UK Government funding, Artemis Technologies trialled a purely electric crew transfer vessel at Aberdeen Bay, advancing decarbonisation of daily operations.
Economic and Community Impact
Aberdeen Bay Offshore Wind Farm powers up to 80,000 homes annually, displacing over 134,000 tonnes of CO2—the equivalent of removing 35,000 cars from UK roads. The project supports local jobs, education, and environmental initiatives, generating well over £5 million each year for the Aberdeen and wider Aberdeenshire economy. Vattenfall’s Unlock Our Future Fund contributes £150,000 annually to community projects.
Source: Vattenfall
