Offshore wind farms expand but ecological risks outpace mitigation efforts

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Global offshore wind capacity is surging, with experts warning that unchecked growth risks severe marine biodiversity damage without stronger environmental safeguards.

A 2025 study found 86% of potential impacts on ecosystem services remain unknown, exposing critical data gaps as wind farms proliferate—particularly in Asia and Latin America, where expansion is projected to accelerate.

Europe and China dominate current deployment, but long-term ecological studies lag behind development. While wind farms can act as artificial reefs and restrict harmful fishing, their construction and operation disrupt seabirds, marine mammals, and coastal habitats. The Berwick Bank Wind Farm in Scotland, set to power six million homes with 307 turbines, illustrates the risks: environmental assessments predict thousands of seabird deaths annually despite mitigation plans focused on onshore habitat protection.

Construction is the most destructive phase, with pile-driving noise disturbing cetaceans and increased ship traffic raising collision risks. Decommissioning poses further unknowns, including metal leaching from corrosion protection systems. A 2025 study estimates European wind farms already release over 3,000 metric tons of aluminium annually, threatening co-located shellfish and seaweed farms.

Mitigation efforts are evolving but inconsistent. Ecosystem-based marine spatial planning—identifying sites that avoid fisheries and ecologically sensitive areas—remains underutilized, according to Louise Combret, renewable energy policy associate at The Nature Conservancy. "The best way to avoid impacts is where you’re planning your projects," she said, emphasizing the need for the "three C’s": climate action, conservation, and community benefits.

In Europe, sensitivity maps for 13 countries guide siting, but enforcement varies. Aedan Smith, head of policy at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), called the North Sea’s wind farm rush a "gold rush" for prime near-shore sites, often overlapping with seabird breeding grounds. While some birds adapt to turbines, others face fatal collisions, with no guaranteed solutions for mitigation.

Asia’s offshore wind boom—projected to grow sharply—lacks comparable data, risking repeated ecological missteps. Daniel Mitchell of BirdLife International noted that even in Europe, sensitivity maps are not uniformly applied. Without standardized environmental impact assessments in emerging markets, the industry may replicate past mistakes.

The push for "net-positive" wind farms—those that restore ecosystems—remains theoretical. Pilot projects explore pro-biodiversity designs, but no industry-wide standards exist. Marjolein Kelder, a senior project manager, highlighted the need for integrated solutions, from turbine visibility modifications to habitat-friendly foundation structures.

For Malaysia, where renewable energy targets include offshore potential, the lessons are clear: rapid expansion without ecological safeguards risks undermining both climate and biodiversity goals. The industry’s future hinges on balancing energy needs with conservation—before irreversible damage occurs. Without stronger marine spatial planning, long-term ecological studies, and consistent mitigation measures, offshore wind’s dual role as a climate solution and ecological disruptor remains unresolved.