The construction of onshore wind farms to provide clean energy and mitigate climate change is not without side effects. It can lead to habitat disturbance (adverse effects on birds), fragmentation of natural landscapes, noise pollution, landslides from drainage (and release of carbon) and an overall reduction in biodiversity. Another problem is the current lack of solutions for the end of life of these air turbines, as there is no plan for their sustainable disposal.
Social and ecological consequences of onshore wind farms
The construction of onshore wind farms to provide clean energy and mitigate climate change is not without side effects. It can lead to habitat disturbance (adverse effects on birds), fragmentation of natural landscapes, noise pollution, landslides from drainage (and release of carbon) and an overall reduction in biodiversity. Another problem is the current lack of solutions for the end of life of these air turbines, as there is no plan for their sustainable disposal.
Nº 100
- Climate & Atmosphere
- Energy Emission Reduction
- Promotion of Wind Energy
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made
None
Social and ecological consequences of onshore wind farms
1) China has become a major player in the wind energy market, but now faces a significant challenge in decommissioning and disposing of its many wind turbines. This issue poses challenges for the effective management of the resulting waste. By 2030, the decommissioning of wind turbine blades in China is expected to stabilise at a staggering 150,000 tonnes per year. This raises the risk of methane and other volatile organic compounds being generated, contributing to environmental pollution. In addition, the lack of secondary uses for the polymer in these blades means that valuable resources are wasted. Despite these challenges, the government’s response to the situation has been ineffective.
2) The Northeast region of Brazil is renowned for its potential for wind turbine development and is responsible for generating over eighty per cent of the country’s wind energy. However, the region is currently facing significant environmental impacts due to the heavy-handed actions of wind energy companies. These actions have led to the loss of local wildlife as a result of collisions with wind turbines. In addition, the construction of wind turbines and associated infrastructure, including roads and transmission lines, is disrupting conservation efforts for the already fragile Caatinga ecosystem.
- Facilitated the efforts to address the initial problem; Frustrated the efforts to address the initial problem; The problem-shift had no effect on the efforts to address the initial problem
- Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other); Multilple (effects disconected from each other)
1) Nan Cong, Yan Song, Ming Zhang, Wenqi Wu. (2023). Life cycle assessment of carbon reduction potential of EoL wind turbine blades disposal scenarios in China. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 100, 107072. ISSN 0195-9255. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2023.107072.
2) Silveira, E. d. (2019). O pouco conhecido impacto negativo da energia eólica no Nordeste. BBC News Brasil. Available at https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-49858734
Leung, D. Y., & Yang, Y. (2012). Wind energy development and its environmental impact: A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews, 16(1), 1031-1039.
Mann, J., & Teilmann, J. (2013). Environmental impact of wind energy. Environmental Research Letters, 8(3), 035001.
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