Wind power doesn't consume water for continuous operation and has near negligible emissions directly related to its electricity production. According to the IPCC, in assessments of the life-cycle global warming potential of energy sources, wind turbines have a median value of between 15 and 11 ( gCO 2 eq/ kWh) depending on whether offshore or onshore turbines are being assessed. Basic operational considerations Pollution and effects on the grid Pollution costs Ĭompared with other low-carbon power sources, wind turbines have one of the lowest global warming potentials per unit of electrical energy generated by any power source. Pile-driving to construct non-floating wind farms is noisy underwater, but in operation offshore wind is much quieter than ships. Peer-reviewed research has generally not supported these claims. There are anecdotal reports of negative health effects on people who live very close to wind turbines. At 1.5 km (1 mi) distance they become inaudible. At a distance of 300 metres (980 ft) this may be around 45 dB, which is slightly louder than a refrigerator.

Blades manufactured in the 2020s are more likely to be designed to be completely recyclable. Since 2019, some landfill operators have begun requiring blades to be crushed before being landfilled. Because blades are hollow, they take up a large volume compared to their mass. Previously, there was no market for recycling these old blades, and they were commonly disposed of in landfills. Many wind turbine blades are made of fiberglass and some only had a lifetime of 10 to 20 years. This can be mitigated with proper wildlife monitoring. Thousands of birds and bats, including rare species, have been killed by wind turbine blades, as there are around other manmade structures, though wind turbines are responsible for far fewer bird deaths than fossil-fueled power stations. The worldwide ecological impact is minimal. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the greatest potential impacts on wildlife of onshore wind farms, but they are small and can be mitigated if proper monitoring and mitigation strategies are implemented. A report by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland concluded that wind farms harmed tourism in areas known for natural landscapes and panoramic views. Some wind farms are opposed for potentially spoiling protected scenic areas, archaeological landscapes and heritage sites. They also need to be built away from urban areas, which can lead to 'industrialization of the countryside'. The land between the turbines and access roads can still be used for farming and grazing. Siting restrictions (such as setbacks) may be implemented to limit the impact.

Ĭonflicts arise especially in scenic and culturally-important landscapes. Their network of turbines, access roads, transmission lines, and substations can result in 'energy sprawl' although land between the turbines and roads can still be used for agriculture. Due to a very low surface power density and spacing requirements, wind farms typically need to be spread over more land than other power stations.

Onshore (on-land) wind farms can have a significant visual impact and impact on the landscape. The energy consumed to manufacture and transport the materials used to build a wind power plant is equal to the new energy produced by the plant within a few months. Wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution, unlike fossil fuel power sources. Wind turbines have some of the lowest global warming potential per unit of electricity generated: far less greenhouse gas is emitted than for the average unit of electricity, so wind power helps limit climate change.

The environmental impact of electricity generation from wind power is minor when compared to that of fossil fuel power.

Wind turbine graveyard