Below, we list the potential pros and cons of wind energy (both onshore and offshore)
This guide forms part of a series of guides we have put together outlining the benefits and disadvantages of different energy sources and energy generation methods.
Summary – Potential Pros & Cons Of Wind Energy
Potential Pros
Is Considered Renewable Energy
No Greenhouse Emissions Whilst In Operation
Does Not Release Air Pollutants Whilst In Operation
No Waste By-Products Whilst In Operation
No Refuelling Is Required, & Wind Energy Itself Is Free
Can Be Used Off Grid, Or Fed Into The Grid
May Provide Some Level Of Energy Independence (For Both Countries, & Individuals)
There’s Different Types Of Wind Energy Systems & Technology Available
Can Be Used Rurally
Wind Energy Systems & Technology Might Improve In Capability & Performance Over Time
Wind Energy Is Showing Rapid Growth In Some Regions
Running Costs Of Wind Turbines Might Be Relatively Low
The Prices For Wind Generated Electricity May Have Gotten Cheaper In Recent Years
May Not Have The Same Price Fluctuations As Some Fossil Fuels
Might Have Low Maintenance Requirements In Some Instances
Wind Farms May Have A Shorter Lead Time To Build Than Power Plants Such As Nuclear Power Plants
Distribution & Modular Set Up May Provide Certain Benefits
May Be Efficient With Land Use In Some Ways
May Have A Small Water Footprint Whilst In Operation Compared To Some Other Energy Sources
May Convert Original Energy Input To Electricity At A High Rate
Power Output Capacity Of One Large Turbine Might Be Considered Reasonable By Some
May Be Better Than Solar Energy For Baseload
May Provide Additional Income Opportunities For Private Land Owners, & The Government
May Provide Financial Opportunities For Private Wind Turbine Owners
Wind Turbines Might Be Able To Be Recycled &/Or Reused
Might Not Be The Hazard To Wildlife That Some Reports Claim
May Have Several Benefits Over Solar Energy Specifically
Potential Cons
Low Power Density & Power Output
Might Have A Poor Capacity Factor Compared To Some Other Energy Sources
May Not Be Suitable Right Now For The Largest Or Greatest Scales Of Energy Generation, Or As A City’s Predominant (Or Sole) Energy Source
Can Be Dependent On Exposure To, & Intensity Of Wind
Is Considered A Variable/Intermittent Energy Source
May Have Issues With Meeting Demand Peaks (& General Energy Demand Profiles) Of Certain Cities & Towns
May Sometimes Rely On Backup Energy Sources, & Also Batteries For Energy Storage
Grid Integration May Be An Issue That Needs To Be Addressed In Some Countries
Offshore Wind Installations Might Be More Costly Than Onshore Wind Installations
Offshore Wind Turbine Setups May Create Other Issues Too
Return On Initial Investment Times Might Vary
May Lead To More Expensive Electricity Prices In Some Instances
There Is Maintenance Required
Repair Costs Might Sometimes Be Expensive, Time Consuming & Hazardous
May Use Land Less Efficiently When Considering Power Density
There May Be Issues With Acquiring Land For Wind Energy
Lifespan Of Wind Turbines May Be Shorter Than The Lifespan Of Some Other Energy Sources
Aesthetics Can Be An Issue
Noise May Sometimes Make It Difficult To Live Very Close To Some Wind Turbines
Wind Energy May Not Have Received The Investment That Solar PV Has In Recent Decades
Potential Hazard For Wildlife
Wind Energy Might Require More Construction Material Than Nuclear Energy
Wind Turbines Use Fossil Fuels Indirectly
Demand For Wind Energy Might Be Sensitive To, & Linked To Natural Gas Prices
Demand For Wind Might Be Dependent On Tax Credit Support
Wind Turbine Blades Might End Up In Landfill In Some Countries
General Summary
Wind energy may be similar to solar energy in some ways.
Some of the benefits might include that wind energy itself is considered renewable, wind energy systems don’t emit greenhouse gases or air pollutants whilst in operation, and there’s multiple options available with both onshore and offshore wind installations.
Some cities and States/Provinces/Territories around the world already use a significant amount of wind energy.
Some of the drawbacks might be that, compared to some other energy sources, wind energy currently has lower power density, a lower capacity factor, is a variable/intermittent energy source, and relies on wind to capture energy.
Like solar, wind energy might also require other energy sources to support it in a city’s energy mix.
Technology improvements and other factors may change some of the current drawbacks for wind energy, but, it seems as though it has some clear limitations right now compared to some other energy sources.
*Note
The pros and cons in this guide are broad generalisations.
Each energy project in each geographic location will have it’s own factors and variables to consider, so, each one will require a separate assessment of it’s individual pros and cons.
The development of technology, as well as other factors might change pros and cons in the future too.
What Is Wind Energy/Power?
Wind power is the generation of electricity using wind
Air flow is utilised to spin wind turbines, where the mechanical energy is then converted into electrical energy
Potential Pros Of Wind Energy
Is Considered Renewable Energy
Wind is a form of solar energy.
Several reports indicate that winds are created by a combination of uneven surfaces on the Earth, the Earth’s rotation on its axis, and imbalanced heating of the sun across our atmosphere.
This means that for at least the next 5 billion years (as long as the Sun is expected to be around for), we won’t run out of it.
The supply is basically infinite when considering how much is available vs how much we can consume
Wind energy is therefore considered a renewable energy source
This is in comparison to say fossil fuel supplies, which are non renewable and finite
No Greenhouse Emissions Whilst In Operation
There is a carbon footprint for the manufacture of wind turbines.
However, there is little to no greenhouse gas emissions whilst wind turbines and other wind energy systems are in operation.
Additionally, these emissions might be negligible when compared to the GHGs emitted by other energy sources.
Wind energy might have one of the lowest carbon footprints amongst energy sources.
Although there are GHGs from the manufacture and installation of wind turbines, these GHGs are expected to be recouped within 9 months of clean operation in most cases (ecavo.com)
Wind energy produces about the same greenhouse gas emissions as nuclear (dailymaverick.co.za).
Does Not Release Air Pollutants Whilst In Operation
Wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, do not release any form of air pollutants whilst in operation.
No Waste By-Products Whilst In Operation
Wind energy also doesn’t produce waste by-products whilst in operation
Coal on the other hand produces fly ash and other waste by-products
Nuclear energy also produces spent nuclear fuel, which is a form of nuclear waste.
No Refuelling Is Required, & Wind Energy Itself Is Free
Once wind turbines are set up, there is no refuelling process.
This is in comparison to coal power plants or nuclear reactors that need to be refuelled
Additionally, wind energy itself is free, unlike coal or uranium resources (which cost money)
Can Be Used Off Grid, Or Fed Into The Grid
Wind power can be used in off grid systems i.e they can provide power without being connected to the main distribution grid.
But, wind turbines can also be connected to the main power grid, and deliver power to it.
May Provide Some Level Of Energy Independence (For Both Countries, & Individuals)
Wind energy may provide some level of energy independence:
– Where a country uses domestically sourced wind energy to partially replace a % of other energy sources that are mostly imported from other countries
As one example, some countries import a lot of their natural gas from other countries
– Where private wind energy systems are set up, replacing a certain amount of electricity consumption from the public power grid
There’s Different Types Of Wind Energy Systems & Technology Available
Onshore vs Offshore Wind Energy Systems
These different systems give wind energy some versatility and flexibility, and mean that wind energy may be able to offer more options as an energy source.
Types Of Wind Turbines
There’s also different types of wind turbines (such as HAWTs, and VAWTs)
The sizes of wind turbines, and the length of their blades, can also vary.
Can Be Used Rurally
Similar to solar energy, wind energy can be used rurally (or in more remote locations)
Wind Energy Systems & Technology Might Improve In Capability & Performance Over Time
For example, some reports indicate that modern wind turbines have gotten more reliable, and their power ratings have increased compared to what they used to be.
Other reports also indicate that methods are being developed to increase the energy output of turbines, or to catch more of the available wind.
Wind Energy Is Showing Rapid Growth In Some Regions
Such as some parts of the US
Parts of the Midwest [in the US] have been moving away from heavy reliance on coal and have seen rapid growth in wind energy (insideclimatenews.org)
Running Costs Of Wind Turbines Might Be Relatively Low
After manufacture and install, a wind turbine might require little cost to maintain compared to a coal or nuclear plant for example.
There are maintenance and repair costs to consider though – labor costs for maintenance can vary depending on several factors
The Prices For Wind Generated Electricity May Have Gotten Cheaper In Recent Years
Various reports we found online indicated that in recent decades, the price for wind generated electricity has decreased on average
As one example, forbes.com indicates that:
Over the last decade, wind energy prices have fallen 70% and solar photovoltaics have fallen 89% on average …
May Not Have The Same Price Fluctuations As Some Fossil Fuels
The prices of different fossil fuels can be volatile, and can fluctuate over time (especially in response to some major global events)
Some reports might indicate that renewable energy is more stable
Renewable energy can be much more stable in some places because of stable operating costs (ucsusa.org)
Might Have Low Maintenance Requirements In Some Instances
Wind turbines might require a basic maintenance program
They might also require repairs to blades if they get damaged
But, in general, wind energy might be considered a low maintenance energy source
Some may argue this point though, because the size/height of turbines, as well as them being installed in remote locations, can sometimes present challenges in maintaining or repairing them
Wind Farms May Have A Shorter Lead Time To Build Than Some Reactors
Not taking into consideration design and pre planning …
Some larger wind farms might take anywhere from a few months, up to years to build. It depends on the scale and size (in terms of MW generation) of the farm though.
In comparison, various reports indicate that the lead time on the construction of a new nuclear power station might be 7 to 10 years on average
Obviously a big difference in the above examples is that a nuclear reactor may have a much larger power output than a wind farm. So, this is worth keeping in mind.
Wind energy also has the benefit of setting up as many or as little turbines as is preferred
They can be installed in stages, or in increments
This is in comparison to a nuclear plant or a coal plant, where the entire plant or reactor has to be built.
Distribution & Modular Set Up May Provide Certain Benefits
Wind energy is usually distributed across a wide geographical area, and is modular with several individual turbines or wind farms.
This might mean there is less chance of disruption to electricity supply in the case of damage to equipment from extreme weather or a natural event, as energy generation isn’t concentrated to one power plant or reactor like it might be with coal energy or nuclear energy
Hurricane Sandy had [the impact of] … power loss and damage … on fossil fuel plants in New York and New Jersey, but not as much on renewable energy projects (ucsusa.org)
May Be Efficient With Land Use In Some Ways
A few things that might make wind energy more efficient with land use, might be:
– The space in between wind turbines can be used for other uses
Some land with wind turbines installed on it is also used for farming for example (in addition to wind energy generation)
So, there’s a dual land use instead of just one, because there’s lots of space between the wind turbine foundations
– Wind energy can be installed offshore
Where offshore wind energy is installed, there’s not a direct inland land footprint
This might free up inland land to be used for other land uses
Wind energy may also be more land efficient when taking the following things into account with land use calculations:
– Wind energy might use less total land space than some fossil fuels when upstream and downstream land use are taken into account (especially for mining, gas pipelines, energy infrastructure, and so on)
– The land used by a wind farm might be able to be re-used after it ceases to be used for a wind farm
May Have A Small Water Footprint Whilst In Operation Compared To Some Other Energy Sources
May Convert Original Energy Input To Electricity At A High Rate
Power Output Capacity Of One Large Turbine Might Be Considered Reasonable By Some
One large wind turbine, on average, has the capacity to generate enough electricity to power 600 U.S. homes (ecavo.com)
May Be Better Than Solar Energy For Baseload
Wind can blow during the day, and also during the night (in areas where wind is generally available)
The Sun however might only be available during certain hours during the day
This might make wind energy more consistent in terms of it’s availability for power production
Solar can’t produce consistent baseload at all, while it peaks at the wrong time [… whilst] The wind is better [than solar] for baseload, since there’s always wind blowing somewhere, but it [still] only produces whatever the weather [delivers …] (dailymaverick.co.za)
May Provide Additional Income Opportunities For Private Land Owners, & The Government
Private Land Owners
Private land owners may have access to additional income opportunities in the form of:
– Net metering in some countries, which basically provides credit for electricity bills for any excess power generated in a given month.
This may also help save on electricity bills, depending on the payback period of the wind energy setup.
– Lease payments for wind projects, and other payments for infrastructure built for these projects
… wind farms in the U.S. provide around $222 million every year to rural landowners who host wind farms on their property (renewableenergymagazine.com)
From ucsusa.org:
Owners of the land on which wind projects are built often receive lease payments ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 per megawatt of installed capacity, as well as payments for power line easements and road rights-of-way.
They may also earn royalties based on the project’s annual revenues.
insideclimatenews.org mentions that (paraphrased) wind energy in the MidWest in the US may provide additional income sources for US farmers
Government
Additional taxes (like property and income taxes) may provide the local government with more revenue sources too
insideclimatenews.org mentions that (paraphrased) wind energy in the MidWest in the US may provide additional tax revenue opportunities
Wind Turbines Might Be Able To Be Recycled &/Or Reused
Several reports indicate that there is potential to recycle and reuse the different components of wind turbines
About 85 percent of turbine component materials—such as steel, copper wire, electronics, and gearing—can be recycled or reused (blog.ucsusa.org)
Wind turbine components are essentially 100% recyclable (engie.com)
Might Not Be The Hazard To Wildlife That Some Reports Claim
reneweconomy.com.au provides a table of different energy production sources and their likelihood of impacting wildlife, and indicates wind has much lower risk to wildlife than fossil fuel energy sources:
Replacing all fossil fuel generation with wind turbines world-wide would save roughly 70 MILLION birds’ lives annually [and …] Wind energy is actually the form of generation with the lowest impact on wildlife
May Have Several Benefits Over Solar Energy Specifically
In a separate guide comparing wind energy and solar energy, we outlined that:
– Wind energy is more efficient at converting energy to electricity than solar energy
– Wind energy currently has greater energy production and also consumption than solar energy
– Wind energy might have a lower carbon footprint than solar energy according to some measures
Potential Cons Of Wind Energy
Low Power Density & Power Output
Compared to nuclear, oil, and gas, wind might have a lower power density, and power output per unit.
Wind energy may not have the capability right now to provide power to something more energy intensive, or something with greater total energy requirements – such as energy intensive industries and sectors, or larger towns and cities.
Might Have A Poor Capacity Factor Compared To Some Other Energy Sources
One report indicates that wind has one of the lowest capacity factors amongst all energy sources
Nuclear (along with natural gas) appears to have a much higher capacity factor than wind
May Not Be Suitable Right Now For The Largest Or Greatest Scales Of Energy Generation, Or As A City’s Predominant (Or Sole) Energy Source
Wind energy may lack the traits and performance right now:
– For providing energy for the most energy intensive applications
– For providing energy to towns and cities with the greatest total energy requirements
– To be the predominant or sole energy source that a city or town relies upon
Power density, and the variable/intermittent nature of wind energy, may be two key limitations for wind energy.
Additionally, some cities and towns may currently lack the infrastructure to properly integrate some newer energy sources (i.e. non fossil fuel based energy sources)
Can Be Dependent On Exposure To, & Intensity Of Wind
Wind energy generally relies on there to be winds blowing in order to generate energy.
It may not be suitable geographically for places with little wind.
It may also not capture as much energy on days with little to no wind.
Is Considered A Variable/Intermittent Energy Source
Because wind energy generally relies on there to be winds blowing, there will be times of the day when little to no energy is being captured.
When this is the case, wind energy might not provide a consistent energy supply.
This is referred to as variability, or as intermittency.
Other energy sources like coal or nuclear for example aren’t variable energy sources.
Variability and intermittency may impact the reliability of wind energy.
Variability/intermittency may also mean that wind has to use a backup energy source (potentially to meet baseload), and/or use batteries for energy storage.
The impact of variability on grid stability might need to be considered too.
The variability of wind energy might be different to the variability of solar energy from the perspective that the sun rises and sets in a relatively predictable way. However, winds might have a lot more variation and unpredictability on a day to day, and even an hour by hour basis.
May Have Issues With Meeting Demand Peaks (& General Energy Demand Profiles) Of Certain Cities & Towns
Each city or town has an ‘energy demand profile’
This profile is made up of factors like their average energy demand, their peak energy demand, and so on
Energy sources that make up a city or town’s energy mix need to be suitable for this energy demand profile
They need to be able to meet the average energy demand of that city or town, but also be capable of meeting peaks in energy demand (on certain days throughout the year)
A few issues with wind energy in particular when it comes to meeting a city or town’s energy demand profile is that:
– It may not be able to meet average energy demand on it’s own
Regular energy demand might not be able to be met on days when there is little to no wind
– It may not be able to meet peaks in energy demand on it’s own
Wind energy may actually peak in energy supply on a day when there is the most wind or the strongest wind, rather than a day when energy demand itself is higher
To say this another way – energy demand may peak at a different time than when energy supply from wind energy peaks
Other energy sources that provide a more consistent or reliable energy supply might be better for meeting the energy demand profile for a greater number of cities and towns – at least with less support or help from other energy sources.
dailymaverick.co.za discusses how (paraphrased) energy sources need to have power availability to match the demand profile of a city or town in greater detail in their report
May Sometimes Rely On Backup Energy Sources, & Also Batteries For Energy Storage
– Backup Energy Sources
Because wind energy can’t always generate adequate energy by itself (because there isn’t enough wind, or for another related reason), it may have to use backup energy sources (like natural gas, as one example – this energy source can ramp up and down) to help it in doing so.
There may be an additional cost for wind energy to use a backup energy source in a power grid – this additional cost may increase the cost to supply electricity, and increase electricity prices in some instances (if this additional cost has to be passed onto the consumer)
– Batteries For Energy Storage
Where wind energy doesn’t provide a consistent energy supply (due to it’s variability and intermittency), it may need to use energy storage in the form of batteries.
Wind energy can send excess energy to batteries when there is surplus energy (based on the energy being generated vs the energy being used), and this energy can be used at a later time when wind energy isn’t generating an adequate energy supply.
Solar and wind as variable energy sources require batteries to store and use energy later on.
For larger scale power production, these batteries can be energy intensive to make, and can be extremely costly.
There’s also the issue of recycling batteries, or disposing of them to consider
Batteries might also require the use of precious metals to make
Grid Integration May Be An Issue That Needs To Be Addressed In Some Countries
This can lead to other issues like losing generated power before it can be fed into the grid
Offshore Wind Installations Might Be More Costly Than Onshore Wind Installations
Online reports might indicate that offshore wind installations might be anywhere from cost neutral, up to three times as costly as onshore wind installations
Where the cost is much higher, the net return of offshore wind installations compared to onshore wind installations might need more scrutiny to get a better idea of whether the investment is worth it
Offshore Wind Turbine Setups May Create Other Issues Too
– Potential Impact Of Turbine Foundations
The gravity foundations have to be fixed into floor of the water body – this may displace some existing aquatic habitats found there, such as reefs, seabeds, etc.
– May Create An Electromagnetic Field
Marine based energy sources like offshore wind turbines or tidal equipment can have concerns with creating an electromagnetic field that may be harmful to some marine organisms (wikipedia.org)
Time For Return On Initial Investment Might Vary
The number of years to get a return, or reach breakeven on the initial investment of wind turbines might vary.
Some reports indicate it can take less than 5 years, whilst others say it can take anywhere from 10 to 20 years before a wind turbine breaks even.
It may depend on a range of factors and variables, with the reliability of the turbine potentially being a major factor.
In some instances, wind turbines may not be economically feasible compared to other energy sources when looking at the financial payback period.
May Lead To More Expensive Electricity Prices In Some Instances
A few factors to consider with renewables and electricity prices:
– There’s a range of factors that aren’t all related to renewable energy that can impact electricity prices
– But, wind energy may in some instances contribute to more expensive electricity prices
There Is Maintenance Required
Such as lubrication, changing oil over, and so on.
Some maintenance is ‘preventative maintenance’ that helps prevent the turbine getting damaged or needing repair.
Although, other energy sources need different types of maintenance and operational procedures carried out too.
… maintenance [for wind turbines] might be carried out every 6 months (renewableenergyworld.com)
energymagazine.com.au lists some of the potential challenges in maintaining wind turbines in their report
Repair Costs Might Sometimes Be Expensive, Time Consuming, & Hazardous
In addition to maintenance and running costs, there may be repair costs for some turbines.
Depending on some factors, some repair costs might be more costly than some maintenance costs
These factors can include but aren’t limited to – the size of the turbine and it’s blades, the type of turbine, where the turbine is located, and so on
Repair work might sometimes have risk too – turbines are usually located in more remote areas, and repair workers can be hundreds of feet in the air
May Use Land Less Efficiently When Considering Power Density
This might be referred to as the ‘space to output ratio’
There May Be Issues With Acquiring Land For Wind Energy
Because of either heritage or land rights issues.
This may apply to land for both wind turbines, and infrastructure for wind energy.
Lifespan Of Wind Turbines May Be Shorter Than The Lifespan Of Some Other Energy Sources
Some reports indicate that the industry standard lifespan for a wind turbine is around 20-30 years
In comparison:
Some nuclear reactors might have a lifespan of around 40 years, and potentially up to 80 years
Coal plants might have a lifespan of anywhere from 30 to 46 years on average
Aesthetics Can Be An Issue
The aesthetics of wind turbines are an issue in some areas – especially urban and residential areas.
Comparing solar energy to wind energy – people may much prefer the look of solar panels on homes than wind turbines on properties.
This might not be as much of an issue though if wind farms are located further away from urban areas where most people live
Noise May Sometimes Make It Difficult To Live Very Close To Some Wind Turbines
Wind turbines may sometimes make a ‘swoosh’ noise, or some other type of background noise.
Whilst some people may not find wind turbines noisy, other people may find it difficult to live too close to wind turbines or a wind farm because of this noise.
Newer wind energy technology may make less noise though
Wind Energy May Not Have Received The Investment That Solar PV Has In Recent Decades
Solar and wind energy are the two renewable energy sources that have received much of the investment and had some of the highest installed capacity totals in recent decades.
However, between the two, solar PV in particular may have received more investment and focus to date.
Companies like Tesla, and countries like Germany for example, may have focussed heavily on developing solar technology.
Potential Hazard For Wildlife
Wind turbines may sometimes be a hazard for flying animals if they fly into a blade or the turbine itself
There isn’t the same problem with solar
Wind Energy Might Require More Construction Material Than Nuclear Energy
Solar requires 18 times, and wind 11 times … the construction materials of nuclear (dailymaverick.co.za)
There’s not only a resource footprint to these materials, but an associated waste footprint too.
Wind Turbines Use Fossil Fuels Indirectly
Turbines use oil, grease and other lubricants
Oil is used as a lubricant for the blade lubrication points, gearbox and generator, and some reports indicate that this oil may need to be replaced annually
These products are derived from petroleum, which is obviously a fossil fuel
Demand For Wind Energy Might Be Sensitive To, & Linked To Natural Gas Prices
[The] wind energy outlook is highly sensitive to natural gas prices, with wind becoming less competitive when gas prices are low [in the US] (insideclimatenews.org)
Where this is the case, there may be several flow on effects and drawbacks for wind energy.
Demand For Wind Might Be Dependent On Tax Credit Support
i.e. demand for wind energy might decrease if there is no tax credit support
Some experts support this view, whilst others don’t (insideclimatenews.org)
This claim can be monitored in real time by observing the impact of removing tax credits on wind energy in a specific city or town.
Wind Turbine Blades Might End Up In Landfill In Some Countries
Some reports indicate that a notable amount of wind turbine blades might end up in landfill in some countries.
A few reasons for this might be the challenges involved in recycling large turbine blades, and also because recycling practices aren’t widely implemented yet.
Sources
1. https://www.renewableresourcescoalition.org/wind-energy-pros-cons/
2. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/28012019/eia-annual-energy-outlook-coal-renewable-wind-utility-analyst-projections-impact
3. https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/renewable-energy/public-benefits-of-renewable-power
4. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2019-08-13-mantashe-is-right-south-africa-must-build-more-nuclear-energy/
5. https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/2013/05/21/wind-turbine-lubrication-and-maintenance-protecting-investments-in-renewable-energy/#gref
6. https://ecavo.com/wind-energy-pros-cons/
7. Various ‘Better Meets Reality’ guides
8. https://www.forbes.com/sites/energyinnovation/2020/01/21/renewable-energy-prices-hit-record-lows-how-can-utilities-benefit-from-unstoppable-solar-and-wind/
9. https://blog.ucsusa.org/james-gignac/wind-turbine-blades-recycling/
10. https://www.engie.com/en/activities/renewable-energies/wind-energy/recycling-wind-turbines
11. https://www.energymagazine.com.au/the-4-biggest-challenges-of-wind-turbine-maintenance/
12. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/07122018/rural-jobs-clean-energy-wind-power-energy-efficiency-renewable-vs-fossil-fuels-climate-change
13. https://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/emily-folk/the-many-economic-benefits-of-renewable-energy-20190312
14. https://reneweconomy.com.au/want-to-save-70-million-birds-a-year-build-more-wind-farms-18274/
15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_electricity_generation
