As countries ramp up offshore wind farms to meet climate goals, scientists are warning about a growing issue: wind farms accidentally draining energy from one another — a phenomenon now nicknamed “wind theft.”
It’s caused by the wake effect — the drop in wind speed that happens behind turbines after they extract energy from the air. In large offshore wind farms, this slowdown can stretch for more than 100 km and reduce the energy output of nearby wind farms by 10% or more.
While the term wind theft is misleading — nobody owns the wind — the economic impact is real. Several developers in the UK are already in disputes, and experts warn that cross-border tensions could follow as Europe’s seas fill with turbines.
“Even small wake effects can threaten investment returns,” said Eirik Finserås, a Norwegian lawyer who studied the issue. Countries like the UK and China are now launching major research projects to better model wake patterns and plan smarter.
The EU is under pressure to triple offshore wind capacity by 2030. But without clear rules and coordination, experts say the rush to claim the best locations could trigger what’s being called a “race to the water,” potentially risking marine ecosystems and increasing energy uncertainty.
“This is not just a technical challenge,” said Pablo Ouro from the University of Manchester. “It’s a planning and policy challenge. We need to fix it — fast — to stay on track for net zero.”
Driverless lorries are already rolling on highways between Beijing and Tianjin port, showing how China’s transport industry could change soon.
Colombia has cut deforestation by a third in early 2025, with the biggest progress seen in Amazon national parks.
Kenya has directed its tea factories to suspend ties with the Rainforest Alliance, saying the cost of ethical certification is too high for struggling smallholder farmers.
Rwanda has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing political bias and obstruction by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic held regular political consultations in Prague, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced.
Driverless lorries are already rolling on highways between Beijing and Tianjin port, showing how China’s transport industry could change soon.
Colombia has cut deforestation by a third in early 2025, with the biggest progress seen in Amazon national parks.
As countries ramp up offshore wind farms to meet climate goals, scientists are warning about a growing issue: wind farms accidentally draining energy from one another — a phenomenon now nicknamed “wind theft.”
Kenya has directed its tea factories to suspend ties with the Rainforest Alliance, saying the cost of ethical certification is too high for struggling smallholder farmers.
Rwanda has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing political bias and obstruction by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to speak this week to discuss recent trade tensions, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended abruptly in Istanbul on Monday, lasting just over an hour amid mounting tensions following a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russian strategic bombers and renewed pressure from the U.S. for a breakthrough.
Eid al-Adha, known as the "Festival of Sacrifice," stands as one of Islam's most significant celebrations, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah's command.
Colombia has cut deforestation by a third in early 2025, with the biggest progress seen in Amazon national parks.
The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) announced Saturday a significant boost to its commitment to ocean health, pledging an additional $2.5 billion in investments aimed at protecting marine ecosystems and fostering sustainable blue economic activities.
While the world's attention is often captured by rising sea levels, another critical environmental crisis is unfolding beneath our feet: land subsidence.
The NGO Ocean Cleanup, in collaboration with the Guatemalan government and local communities, has installed the largest trash barrier to date on the Motagua River. This major effort aims to capture and remove vast amounts of garbage before it reaches the sea.
A surge of over 200 wildfires across Canada has forced tens of thousands to evacuate, with smoke drifting into the U.S. Midwest, triggering health alerts and affecting daily life on both sides of the border.
Driverless lorries are already rolling on highways between Beijing and Tianjin port, showing how China’s transport industry could change soon.
Colombia has cut deforestation by a third in early 2025, with the biggest progress seen in Amazon national parks.
As countries ramp up offshore wind farms to meet climate goals, scientists are warning about a growing issue: wind farms accidentally draining energy from one another — a phenomenon now nicknamed “wind theft.”
Kenya has directed its tea factories to suspend ties with the Rainforest Alliance, saying the cost of ethical certification is too high for struggling smallholder farmers.
Rwanda has officially withdrawn from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), citing political bias and obstruction by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
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