Wind Power Advantages & Disadvantages

    Natural Advantages

        Wind energy is renewable (sustainable), which means it will never run out. Since some places are windier than others the careful placement of wind farms will help to maximize the energy potential from wind and also minimize negative impacts. Wind turbines can be set up in rural areas to serve customers that may be difficult to serve through traditional means (that are off the grid).

        Wind energy is clean, meaning it does not produce greenhouse gases like fossil fuel power plants. The more of this type energy produced the less dependent we are on fossil fuel power plants. Not only is wind power clean, but it will replace unclean energy production by making fossil fuel power plants less necessary.

        Wind is a free resource. Wind energy is free once you install the equipment and pay the initial costs. In the long run wind energy should be very cost-competitive and effective. Producing wind energy is also low-maintenance. The typical wind turbine requires maintenance only twice per year, while fossil fuel plants require continuous maintenance.
    Economic Advantages

        The growth of wind energy is creating new jobs. The wind turbines need to be manufactured and set up and maintained. Also, the energy produced may be used to run businesses, which can create jobs.

        Wind energy can coexist with other activities on the same land, for example, farming or grazing cattle and sheep. This is a huge economic advantage to the land owner.
    Natural Disadvantages

        Wind is intermittent and does not always materialize when electricity is needed, so wind energy is not a totally reliable source of energy. But a combination of solar, hydroelectric and wind power can provide a totally reliable supply of renewable energy.

        Good wind sites often are far from where the electricity is needed. Building the infrastructure to carry the electricity long distances is costly.
    Economic Disadvantages

        The higher initial investment than fossil fuel generators makes it hard to compete on a cost basis at least in the short run.

        Wind energy production may have to compete with other uses for the land ,which may be seen as higher value use.

        Large wind farms are needed to serve entire communities with electricity. The largest single turbine available today can only provide enough electricity for 475 homeswhen running at full capacity. Just think how many would be needed for a town of 100,000 people, about 60 just for the homes, if you figure 25,000 homes.
    Advantages vs. Disadvantages

        According to the Wind Energy Association, if wind energy were increased to 20 percent of all energy use by 2030 it would: significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions; conserve 4 trillion gallons of water; reduce natural gas prices by 12 percent or $130 billion; expand manufacturing by at least 30,000 jobs; generate local revenues through lease payments to land owners and tax revenues to local governments. "From 2007--2030 total economic activity would exceed $1 trillion or $440 Billion in present value terms."

        Wind farms have relatively little impact on the environment compared to fossil fuel power plants. However, they have generated concerns over noise produced by the rotor blades, visual impact on the natural setting and birds being killed by flying into the rotors. Those concerns can be largley mitigated through technology and by properly locating wind farms.