E-MeRsion PIM: Creating a Radio Show to Raise Awareness of Offshore Wind Energy Issues

From 23 to 27 June 2025, the E-MeRsion PIM brought together twelve students to explore the topic of offshore wind farms, an impressive technology, now 35 years old, but also a controversial one in France, often at the centre of heated debates and sometimes the target of “fake news”.

Conceived and co-supervised by four Master’s students in Marine Biology, the participants delved into the complexity of the topic, balancing renewable energy production, marine spatial planning, consultation with all sea users, and the impacts on both landscapes and biodiversity.

Supported by the association Longueur d’Ondes, the students interviewed professionals and stakeholders, conducted street interviews in Paimpol, recorded sounds during a visit to the Saint-Brieuc wind farm, wrote their own scripts and voice-overs, edited all audio material, and even created a jingle and soundscapes to give the programme its distinctive atmosphere.

Collectively, the group had to quickly immerse themselves in the various challenges surrounding offshore wind energy, in order to deepen their understanding of its technological, environmental, and socio-economic dimensions. Their goal was to design a concise and creative radio show that would serve as an effective tool for science communication to a broad audience.

Interviewees included:

• Vincent Deshoux and Tanguy Halna du Fretay, Pennavel
• Frank David, Geophom
• Thierry Simelière, Mayor of Saint-Quay-Portrieux
• Julien Dubreuil, Deputy Secretary of the Regional Committee for Maritime Fisheries and Marine Farming in Brittany

This first two-part episode on offshore wind energy is now available online on the UBO Podcasts channel (Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts, etc.).

E-MeRsion will return in June 2026 for the next PIM, to produce the second episode in the series — this time focusing on a new marine renewable energy technology.

The students presented their work on Friday afternoon during the PIM Forum.

Supervisors:

• Louise FARGETTE
• Marie LEGAIN
• Thomas LEQUEFFRINEC
• Lilou POIRIER