Environmental impact of wind power

The environmental impact of electricity generation from wind power is minor when compared to that of fossil fuel power.^[2] 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.^[3] Wind power consumes no fuel, and emits no air pollution, unlike fossil fuel power sources. 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.^[4]

Onshore (on-land) wind farms can have a significant visual impact and impact on the landscape.^[5] 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.^[6][7] Their network of turbines, access roads, transmission lines, and substations can result in "energy sprawl";^[8] although land between the turbines and roads can still be used for agriculture.^[9][10]

Conflicts arise especially in scenic and culturally-important landscapes. Siting restrictions (such as setbacks) may be implemented to limit the impact.^[11] The land between the turbines and access roads can still be used for farming and grazing.^[9][12] They can lead to "industrialization of the countryside".^[13] Some wind farms are opposed for potentially spoiling protected scenic areas, archaeological landscapes and heritage sites.^[14][15][16] A report by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland concluded that wind farms harmed tourism in areas known for natural landscapes and panoramic views.^[17]

Habitat loss and fragmentation are the greatest potential impacts on wildlife of onshore wind farms,^[8] but they are small^[18] and can be mitigated if proper monitoring and mitigation strategies are implemented.^[19] The worldwide ecological impact is minimal.^[2] Thousands of birds and bats, including rare species, have been killed by wind turbine blades,^[20] as around other manmade structures, though wind turbines are responsible for far fewer bird deaths than fossil-fuel infrastructure.^[21][22] This can be mitigated with proper wildlife monitoring.^[23]

Many wind turbine blades are made of fiberglass and some only had a lifetime of 10 to 20 years.^[24] Previously, there was no market for recycling these old blades,^[25] and they were commonly disposed of in landfills.^[26] Because blades are hollow, they take up a large volume compared to their mass. Since 2019, some landfill operators have begun requiring blades to be crushed before being landfilled.^[24] Blades manufactured in the 2020s are more likely to be designed to be completely recyclable.^[26]

Wind turbines also generate noise. At a distance of 300 metres (980 ft) this may be around 45 dB, which is slightly louder than a refrigerator. At 1.5 km (1 mi) distance they become inaudible.^[27][28] There are anecdotal reports of negative health effects on people who live very close to wind turbines.^[29] Peer-reviewed research has generally not supported these claims.^[30][31][32] Pile-driving to construct non-floating wind farms is noisy underwater,^[33] but in operation offshore wind is much quieter than ships.^[34]