An unexpected energy dispute has erupted between two European neighbors — Belgium and the Netherlands. The issue? Offshore wind farms installed in the North Sea. Dutch experts claim that Belgian turbines, located further south, disrupt airflow and negatively impact the efficiency of their wind farms.
The core of the problem lies in the so-called wake effect — a phenomenon where front-positioned turbines slow the wind and create turbulence, which reduces performance for turbines further downwind. In this case, Dutch turbines are affected.
Initial estimates suggest that Dutch power production losses may reach up to 3% at some installations — a worrying figure given the EU’s aggressive climate targets.
The North Sea is already one of Europe’s top zones for offshore wind expansion. Massive capacity growth is expected in the coming years:
- Current output: ~30 gigawatts
- Target for 2030: 120 gigawatts
- 2050 vision: a tenfold increase
Achieving these targets requires tight international coordination. Yet, each country currently plans its projects independently, often ignoring potential cross-border impacts.
What do experts propose?
Wind and environmental experts are urging the EU to:
- Create a unified framework for offshore turbine placement
- Launch joint research on airflow dynamics
- Coordinate future projects to avoid “wind theft”
- Use advanced modeling tools during planning
- Factor in marine life and fishing industry impacts
There’s also growing talk of financial compensation mechanisms — if one country loses wind efficiency due to another, should it be reimbursed?
What’s next?
Although official talks haven’t begun, the issue is heating up within the EU. In the long term, this might lead to a sort of “Energy Schengen” — a shared offshore energy zone with common rules and responsibilities.
This situation also reminds us: even green energy needs careful international planning.
