Weather patterns across the Middle East are shifting as the planet warms, and new findings suggest these shifts could undermine wind energy potential in surprising ways.
While some areas may see slight boosts at ground level, several wind hotspots could lose strength where turbines typically operate, affecting key development plans.
The research, led by Melissa Latt from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Assaf Hochman from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, explored future climate conditions.
High-resolution models revealed that surface breezes might climb by about 1.6 miles per hour, yet wind speeds at around 490 feet could dip by up to 2.2 miles per hour.
Shifting wind heights and energy potential
The scientists used a regional climate model with about 5-mile resolution to capture details of summer wind flows in deserts, coastlines, and mountain ranges.
By comparing past climate data to projections through 2070,…
