Amazon has announced that North Sea Farmers have completed the world's first sugar kelp harvest grown between offshore wind turbines at Hollandse Kust Zuid. This initiative was supported by €2 million from Amazon's Right Now Climate Fund, as said in a company press release.
Seaweed has attracted global interest as a natural climate solution due to its capacity to capture carbon and restore marine ecosystems. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), seaweed can absorb carbon up to 20 times more efficiently than terrestrial forests while also enhancing biodiversity and water quality. Beyond environmental benefits, seaweed is increasingly used for food, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and bio-based plastics, highlighting its economic potential.
The Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm, where the harvest took place, is one of Europe's largest offshore renewable energy projects. The Guardian reports that the wind park is located off the coast of the Netherlands and generates enough electricity to power 1.5 million households annually. By repurposing restricted marine space between turbines for kelp cultivation, the project demonstrates a new model for combining renewable power with sustainable aquaculture.
The European Union is actively promoting seaweed cultivation as part of its blue economy strategy. The European Commission states that seaweed farming is seen as a scalable industry that can provide food security, bio-based materials, and contribute to climate resilience. The EU’s Horizon Europe research program has funded multiple projects focused on expanding seaweed farming across member states, underscoring its strategic importance for the region’s sustainability goals.
Amazon created the €100 million Right Now Climate Fund in 2019 to invest in nature-based solutions across Europe. According to Amazon Sustainability, the fund has supported urban greening in Germany, peatland restoration in Ireland, biodiversity recovery in the UK, and now large-scale marine farming in the North Sea. These investments align with Amazon’s broader Climate Pledge commitment to reach net-zero carbon across its global operations by 2040.