Offshore wind turbines in large wind farms steal each other’s wind: yields greatly overestimated

I think this is a very probable and plausible assessment! For years, I have suspected this too!

I bet this applies to onshore wind farms as well!

It is almost certain that large wind farms permanently change the local wind flows in and around these large wind farms! Wind power generation is one of the greatest scams of our time!

From the abstract (emphasis added):

"Offshore wind energy is key to energy transition, but its true potential is often overstated. As wind farms become larger and denser, they change the atmospheric boundary layer, reaching up to the strong geostrophic winds a few kilometers above the surface.
Energy extraction depends on the vertical transfer of momentum from these high-altitude winds down to the turbines, which sets a physical ceiling on how much energy can harvested. A closed-form analytical model, validated against more than 420 years of operational data from 72 wind farms, defines this upper limit through a dimensionless Wind Farm Wind Factor, which condenses the key design and operational conditions of the wind farm, turbine, and site.

A benchmark of national policy targets shows expectations of energy production up to 50% higher than can realistically be achieved.

Such overestimation not only hides true energy costs but also underestimates power variability, integration, and curtailment risks, and it distorts policy pathways.

When projections exceed physical limits by such margins, the resulting electricity shortfall can destabilize decarbonization strategies and reach deep into society and the economy.

Because of the long lead times to develop projects and new electricity systems including storage and the long operational life of these assets, errors in projections will affect multiple generations. The heavy demands on society (e.g., qualified labor), the economy, and the environment mean that corrective paths may become costly or unfeasible for a country or region.

The framework provides policymakers, planners, and communities with a rigorous yet simple tool to set credible targets; compare technology choices; and balance trade-offs between space use, biodiversity, and energy security. It also enables collaboration across engineering, economics, and environmental sciences, helping to deliver on climate goals without overpromising or undermining trust in energy transition."

Offshore wind turbines steal each other’s wind: yields greatly overestimated - Clintel "The energy yields of offshore wind turbines are overestimated by up to 50% in national policy documents. This conclusion is based on an analysis of operational data from 72 wind farms."

A theoretical upper limit for offshore wind energy extraction (open access)