As many offshore wind projects approach the end of their operational life, the sector is turning its attention to decommissioning. With many projects reaching this phase in the coming years, there is growing urgency to ensure that the decommissioning process is managed effectively, with careful attention to environmental risks and regulatory requirements.

Decommissioning involves safely dismantling infrastructure and restoring ecosystems, presenting significant challenges that must be addressed to minimise environmental impact. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) play a critical role in identifying and mitigating potential risks, ensuring decommissioning is carried out responsibly and in full regulatory compliance.

While this review has focused on the UK – where the process is governed by the Energy Act 2004, the UK Marine Policy Statement, and international agreements such as the OSPAR Convention – the insights may also be relevant to other regions with developing offshore wind industries, particularly in Europe.