As offshore wind farms expand globally to meet net-zero climate targets, a phenomenon known as 'wind theft' is gaining attention. Wind farms can inadvertently reduce each other's energy output by creating wakes that slow wind speeds downwind. These wakes can stretch over 100km under certain conditions, potentially reducing a neighboring farm's output by 10% or more.
Researchers and policymakers are now grappling with how to manage this issue, especially as wind farms grow larger and more densely packed. A new UK research project aims to model wake effects to improve planning and avoid disputes between developers.