Offshore Wind Farm Planning and Socioecological Trade-Offs: Wake-Induced Primary Productivity Disruptions

The growing demand for renewable energy and the imperative to decarbonize energy systems have spurred the rapid development of offshore wind farms (OWFs) in coastal regions. However, our grasp of the ecological and social consequences of these installations remains incomplete. 

This research delves into the socioecological tradeoffs linked to OWF implementation, specifically examining the potential effects of the wake effect on primary productivity (PP) and carbon sequestration in marine ecosystems. Parc Tramuntana (PT) in the Northwest Mediterranean (NWM), known for its robust wind-induced stratified mixing and rich biodiversity, serves as the case study. The wake effect stemming from OWFs can have varying impacts on PP, depending on temporal and spatial scales. PT can substitute 4.2% of Catalonia’s current energy mix for offshore wind energy, leading to a 14% reduction in global warming potential (GWP).

Still, further investigation is required to elucidate the potential tradeoff with PP loss or eutrophication. Our comprehension of socioecological tradeoffs in OWFs is hindered by knowledge gaps in ecosystem responses. Life cycle assessment (LCA) models, which primarily focus on overall impacts, fail to capture this phenomenon, underscoring the necessity for site-specific studies and comprehensive assessment tools like Multi-scale Integrated Analysis of Societal and Ecosystem Metabolism (MuSIASEM). Such tools enable analysis of energy, material, and information flows in socio-ecological systems, to better inform policy decisions surrounding renewable electricity systems.