Cooperation and Conflict between Sovereign States in the Development of Offshore Wind Energy: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), “Wind Theft” and the Potential of Transboundary Marine Spatial Planning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33344/vol18iss2pp46-64Abstrakti
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), UNCLOS, governs the development of offshore wind energy in marine spaces. The focus of this article is on how sovereign states should develop cooperation in the expansion of offshore wind energy within Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) by utilizing international law. Academics have predicted that instances of conflict may arise in the development of offshore wind, as can be seen in the case of wind induced wakes (“wind theft”). It is in favour of states to create transboundary cooperation, which can be done through systems of planning and cooperation. Transboundary marine spatial planning (TMSP) may act as a useful avenue to foster cooperation on a transnational level in the development of offshore wind energy. The institution of UNCLOS as a legal framework should be used to its full potential to construct opportunities for collaboration between nation states in the development of green energy.
