Framework for Assessing Ecological and Cumulative Effects (KEC)
The Framework for Assessing Ecological and Cumulative Effects (KEC) is an instrument for calculating the possible effects of existing and future offshore wind farms on the populations of protected species and their habitat. This concerns the ecological effects of the already built and planned wind farms together in the period up to and including 2033 (Roadmap 21 gigawatts). The site decisions for the various wind farms also look at whether site-specific effects can be expected. That also involves determining which mitigation measures can be taken to prevent any significant negative effects. These are effects that would cause a structural decline in the populations of species to be protected and would affect the natural resilience of the species. By identifying the ecological effects of a future wind farm scenario at an early stage, the risks surrounding the roll-out of such a scenario are identified in good time and action can be taken to manage risks.
Continuous refinement of knowledge and assumptions
The KEC is continuously refined and supplemented with the latest insights. There is a new version approximately every two years. In addition to the most recent insights from new research, each new version also includes calculations of the cumulative effects of a new wind farm scenario. Assumptions that were made earlier are continually refined by new insights. The most recent version of the KEC, KEC 5.0, dates from April 2025.