Impact of Offshore Wind Farm Expansion Scenarios on Wave Climate in the German Bight

The growing demand for renewable energy has accelerated the development of offshore wind farms (OWFs), particularly in the German Bight, where significant expansion is planned. The construction of these installations in the shallow southern North Sea can significantly alter the lower atmosphere by introducing turbulence and modifying wind profiles. Observations and atmospheric simulations suggest that OWFs reduce near-surface wind speeds and affect vertical wind structure, depending on the size and layout of the turbines, as well as the expansion scenario.

In order to evaluate the potential impact on ocean waves, we use atmospheric simulations representing various OWF development scenarios as input for the spectral wave model WAM (v4.6), investigating changes in the regional wave climate over a 10-year period. The results suggest that OWFs affect not only local wave conditions, but also lead to a reduction in significant wave height and wave power downstream over larger areas. These findings emphasise the importance of considering OWF-induced atmospheric changes when modelling waves and assessing the impact on the coast.