Published by Australian Academy of Science
Wind power gathers speed Box 2 | The environmental credentials of wind power

Recent analyses show that wind power is considerably more environmentally friendly than, for example, electricity produced by coal-fired power stations. It uses fewer non-renewable resources, causes less local or regional air pollution and makes virtually no contribution to the enhanced greenhouse effect.

The towers themselves cover only a small land area, and farming activities can continue virtually up to the base, even under the revolving blades. However, the roads needed to service the turbines take up space, as do the towers supporting connecting powerlines: the total land requirement for a wind turbine is estimated to be about 10 square metres per kilowatt of its potential power. A 600 kilowatt turbine would therefore require about 6000 square metres, or just over half a hectare.

Wind power has some critics

One problem with wind turbines is that that they produce a low-frequency drone, which increases with increasing wind speed. However, the remoteness of most windfarms means that noise isn't a major problem at most locations.

Critics also say that the modern windfarm is a blight on the landscape. Social research has suggested that the perception of wind turbines as visual pollution depends on a number of factors. These may include the technology used (eg, turbines mounted on tubular towers are generally less of an eyesore than those mounted on steel trusses) and the density and layout of the turbines. Ownership may also be a factor: locals are more likely to find a windfarm attractive if they have a financial share in it, while windfarms erected without the participation of the community are less likely to enjoy local acceptance.

Future windfarms may be located at sea

There may be other ways of avoiding disputes over the loss of scenic quality caused by windfarms. Wind power is often best at sea – there are fewer obstructions to air flow and less turbulence than on land and the wind is more constant. In the future, windfarms may be located 20-30 kilometres offshore, where their visual impact would be minimal. Their outputs would be brought to where it is needed by power cables.

Related sites

• Australian Broadcasting Corporation
  • Energy in the wind (Background briefing, 4 April 2004)
  • Australia's wind power future (Earthbeat, 20 April 2000)

• Wind energy – a resource for the 21st century (CSIRO Land and Water, Australia)

• Fact sheets and information (Wind Industry Development Project, Australia)

Other boxes

Box 1. What causes the wind?

Box 3. Energy basics

Box 4. The power of the winds