by Matthew Denholm, rural and regional correspondent, The Australian
Growing scientific concern that large offshore wind farms can decrease rainfall onshore has prompted calls for the effect to be fully considered before Australian projects proceed, starting with Gippsland’s $8bn Star of the South.
A German study is the latest to warn long-distance wake effects from large offshore turbine installations can “significantly alter regional climate patterns”, including in some cases less onshore rain.
Funded by the German government, the peer-reviewed study finds expansion of North Sea offshore wind farms could reduce rainfall in parts of Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom by 10%-12%.1
Read the full story here.
Our research shows that the operation of wind turbines will cause significant drying of soil, and this drought effect differs significantly according to season and wind direction.
Prof Gang Wang of the School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ludong University in China, GRIPT News, May 11, 2023
Read O Ironies of Ironies! on the “wake effect”.
Wind Concerns is a collaboration of citizens of the Lakeland Alberta region against proposed wind turbine projects.