Myth v Reality

Myth 1: Turbines are taking over the countryside

The reality:

There are now some 2,513 turbines in nearly 150 locations. [1]
Generating 15 per cent of UK electricity from renewables by 2020 and meeting the Government's 14 GW target for onshore wind power (26 June 2008 Government Renewable Energy Strategy) will require a tenfold increase in renewable energy generation from 1.5% in 2006 to 15% in 2020. This will mean at least a fourfold increase in the current number of turbines operational onshore in May 2009.[2]
Less than 1/20,000th of the UK land mass was being used for foundations and access roads in 2004.[3]
Land between turbines can still be used for grazing, arable farming or natural habitat conservation.
In 1800 there were over 10,000 windmills in the UK, approximately 4 times the number of Wind Turbines in operation today. Our forefathers clearly recognised the benefits of wind power to pump water, grind corn and provide employment to local economies. By producing electricity for the National Grid, Wind Turbines can play a significant part in rural and urban economic regeneration.
Wind Turbines are built with underground cables connecting them to the Grid, whereas our current Base-load Fossil Fuel energy still largely depends Electricity Pylons which carry live wires above ground and create a significantly adverse visual impact.
Denmark is about the size of Wales. It's wind turbine density in 2007 was recorded as being over 30 times greater than in the UK. Yet few Danes have openly expressed fears that Turbines are taking over the countryside. In Denmark, Wind Turbines have become as familiar as Electricity Pylons which far outnumber the Wind Turbines.
It could easily be argued that Pylons, not Wind Turbines, have already taken over the countryside. There are over 22,000 Electricity Pylons in England and Wales, and their trailing power lines cover a distance of over 4,500 miles. Yet rarely do you witness vociferous opposition to Electricity Pylons. They have become a familiar part of the UK landscape. The survival need for power will almost certainly have to take precedence over aesthetic appreciation of selected views, provided that it has majority approval.

Myth 2: Wind farms are unpopular

The reality:

Surveys undertaken by the DTI (now BERR) and other organisations show broad support for the expansion of renewable energy.
A May 2006 Survey of awareness and attitudes towards renewable energy discovered that public support for renewables had remained high. The DTI (now BERR) commissioned GfK NOP Social Research to conduct a quantitative research project to explore awareness and attitudes to renewable energy amongst the general public in Great Britain, and determine influences on their opinions of this subject. The survey revealed that 85% of the general public supported the use of renewable energy, 81% were in favour of wind power and 62% would be happy to live within 5km (3 miles) of a wind power development. Solar, Wind and Hydro-electric were the 3 most recognised sources of renewable energy (90%, 82% and 82% respectively). More details on the survey results (external link).
A survey conducted by Mori for EDF Energy showed 72% of people supported wind power, and that it was the favoured choice of Britons to fill the energy gap in the future. [4]
Another survey for BBC Scotland suggested that more than half of adults in Scotland favour renewable energy sources ,like wind power, to supply our future energy needs. Of the 1007 people who responded to the survey, 52% saw renewable energy sources like wind, tidal, solar and wave power as the "preferred method of meeting future energy demands in Scotland". The survey also found that 21% preferred gas, 15% opted for nuclear and 6% saw a long-term future for coal. [5]
Interestingly many independent surveys have found that people with first hand experience of living near to a wind farm were more in favour than those who had no experience.
In a recent 2009 Internet Survey on the Beach Radio(103.4FM & 97.4FM) website, a total of 63% recorded electronically that were in favour of having a wind turbine built near their homes.

Myth 3: Turbines are a health hazard

The reality:

Wind generation produces no emissions, harmful pollutants or waste products.
In 25 years of wind generation, with over 68,000 turbines worldwide, a 2008 electrical generation capacity of 121,188 MW, there are no significant reports of health issues. This includes Denmark, whose turbine density was approximately 30 times that of the UK in 2007.
The DTI (now BERR) commissioned an independent study in response to public concerns about low frequency noise (external link). This concluded that there was no evidence of significant health effects arising from infrasound or low frequency noise generated by wind turbines. (Source: Hayes McKenzie report on Noise arising from Wind Farms)
Furthermore, vibration levels at 100 metres from turbines are (by a factor of 10) lower than the safety requirements for modern laboratories. Vibration is not an issue with modern wind turbines. [6]
Each development requires a noise assessment which can be validated by the Environmental Health Officer employed by the Local Authority.
Noise levels emanating from a Vestas V90 3MW Wind Turbine are shown in the Table below:

Serial	Distance from V90 Turbine (metres)	Noise Output in Decibels (dB)
1	109 metres	~51-57 dB
2	200 metres	~45 -51 dB
3	307 metres*	~41 - 47dB
4	400 metres	Below 44 dB

*At just under this distance there were no noise complaints from HMP Whitemoor, Cambridgeshire. A spokesperson for HMP Whitemoor said that, ‘We can confirm that there are no serious noise issues from the wind turbine.'

In very general terms, noise levels from wind turbines are on a par with rural background noise at night time. It is possible to have a normal conversation with someone while standing right underneath a turbine without either of you having to raise your voice (Sustainable Development Commission, Chaired by Jonathon Porritt)

Myth 4: Wind farms devastate house prices

The reality:

A study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) [7] suggests that wind farms do not impact on residential property values in a uniform way.
Results suggest that wind farm development may have reduced property values to a small extent, just before and shortly after construction but that prices began to recover after wind farms had been up and running for two years. There is no conclusive evidence of their adverse medium term or adverse long term effects on house prices.
The recent Global Financial crisis (which first bit hard in the UK in October 2008), is far more likely to have a significant effect on House Prices than the construction of nearby Wind Turbines.
A significant minority of surveyors (40%) reported no impact from wind farm developments on residential property values.
Evidence suggests that those living nearest to wind farms end up being their strongest advocates. [8]
In response to public opposition following claims that wind farms were having a negative impact on the value of the property (within view of the Turbines), the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) carried out a major study in the USA prior to 2007. They examined 24,300 property transactions from 10 separate locations in the US over a period of 6 years. In some cases the survey period spanned the 3 years prior to the siting of the Wind Turbines and 3 years following their installation. They concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that Wind Turbines sited within a 5 mile radius of property had a negative impact on value. In fact, to the contrary, property values appeared to rise above the regional average, within the case study locations, suggesting that Wind Turbines actually had a positive effect on house value.

Myth5: Wind farms keep tourists away

The reality:

The University of St Andrews carried out research in December 2005, at several wind farms in the Scottish Borders and in the Southwest of Ireland. Tourism was economically important in both regions and they were renowned for their scenic beauty, so the prospect of an upsurge of wind farms was an apparent cause for concern. However, Dr Charles Warren of the School of Geography and Geosciences established that, although people expected a range of negative impacts, these fears were not realized. In most cases, people found that their worries about landscape impacts and noise were unfounded, with surprising numbers even finding the wind farms a positive addition to the local landscape.
Tourism to Swaffham, in Norfolk actually improved following the installation of 2 Giant Wind Turbines: the first in 1999 and the second in 2003.
These findings might seem unusual to some, but, in fact, the consistent conclusion of all similar surveys is that large majorities of people living near wind farms actually like them. They don't appear to keep the majority of tourists away.

Myth 6: Turbine blades threaten bird populations

The reality:

Applications for planning consent for wind farms are accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment that includes details of the likely impact of the project in question on the environment and wildlife, among other things. In considering an application, the Local Authority will consult with a range of stakeholders, including the statutory advisers on nature conservation, as well as others with an interest in the project. This ensures that decisions on whether to grant consent for a wind farm are considered in the light of the best available information about its likely impacts.
DECC has established a Research Advisory Group to fund research into the impact of wind farms on the environment. This has included a joint study with wind farm developers to collect data on the distribution of sea birds in the three strategic offshore wind farm areas, the results of which will inform decisions on the grant of consent for wind farm projects in those areas.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) make clear that the available evidence suggests that appropriately positioned wind farms do not pose a significant hazard for birds. The RSPB's conclusion is supported by a report last year for the Swedish State Energy Authority, which found that only 14 seabirds of the total 1.5 million migrating seabirds that each year passes two wind farms at Kalmarsund in south east Sweden are at risk of being killed.
Projects like the Black Law wind-farm demonstrate that, if properly sited, such developments not only produce zero emissions, but can also have a positive impact on the environment. The RSPB make clear that the Black Law windfarm, on the site of an abandoned open-cast coal-mine, represents an exciting opportunity to deliver real biodiversity benefits through habitat management.
In any case, the likely impact on wildlife must be kept in context. A paper in Nature, by a large group of scientists including one from the RSPB, indicated that in sample regions covering about 20% of the Earth's land surface - 15% to 37% of species (not just birds) will be committed to extinction as a result of mid-range climate warming scenarios by 2050.
In the UK it is estimated by the RSPB that every year 3,000 birds die from collisions with wind turbines. The number pales into insignificance when compared with the annual numbers of 1 million birds killed by cars and 10 million killed by cats. In fact it's les than 1 % of all known bird fatalities.
A team of Academics in Denmark have seen a third brood of baby Kestrels, born in the experimental Kestrel boxes bolted to wind turbine towers. It seems that Kestrels really like wind turbines when they're fitted with roosting facilities.
The RSPB in its March 2009 Report Positive Planning for Onshore Wind, put in its recommendations that: "Appropriately located and designed wind farms are a largely environmentally benign form of energy generation; onshore wind is also a mature and cost competitive source of renewable electricity. As part of a wider mix of renewables, a significant increase in onshore wind (power) will be necessary to meet the UK's obligations under the Renewable Energy Directive up to 2020 and to move towards the recommendation of a near zero carbon electricity sector in the 2030s.

Myth 7: Wind produces little power

The reality:

A single 1.8-megawatt turbine can produce enough power for 1,000 homes. [9]
Existing wind projects generate enough electricity for over 2 million homes.[10]
The average UK wind farm will pay back the energy used in its manufacture within seven to nine months - more quickly than coal fired power stations and nuclear powered power stations. [11]
Over its lifetime, [12] a wind farm will repay this energy 50 times over.
The geographical spread of wind farms minimises the loss of generation when the wind stops in any one location.
Back-up generation is already in place to cover shut-downs of other forms of generation; little further back-up will be needed up to 2010 to cover periods when wind and other renewables generation is low.

Myth 8: Wind energy will not help climate change

The facts:

Back in 2001 the Department of Trade & Industry predicted that if we were able to produce 10 per cent of our electricity from renewable sources, by 2010, we could cut carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes a year. [13]
Wind generation produces no carbon emissions.
Every unit of energy generated by wind doesn't need to be generated by carbon-producing sources such as Coal, Gas, and Oil. Technically Uranium is a fossil fuel but Nuclear Power doesn't generate significant amounts of carbon during the energy-producing process.
Any emissions savings lost through use of fossil fuel back-up will be minimal to 2010. [14]
Wind is part of a range of measures to tackle climate change, alongside other renewables and energy efficiency.
(To combat climate change)There is a pressing need to de-carbonise the UK's energy supply system. The timeline for the delivery of the new capacity is short, driven by targets for emission reductions and renewable energy deployment set at the national (UK) and EU levels. Wind turbines as a market ready technology suited to the UK's bountiful natural wind resource will need to be constructed rapidly both onshore and offshore to deliver new sustainable and renewable sources of energy. (RSPB Report , Positive Planning for Onshore Wind [March 2009]).

Myth 9: Projects are forced through with no regard for local concerns

The facts:

Ministers have made it clear that wind farms should only be located in the appropriate place and that local concerns should be listened to.
All wind farm proposals are subject to a strict planning process, addressing socio-economic and bio-physical impacts on the local area and community..
Local planning authorities consider onshore proposals up to 50 megawatts (the vast majority of applications to date).
The planning framework [15] facilitates renewable energy, while maintaining safeguards for landscape and nature conservation. It does not impose targets or developments on local authorities
For applications over 50 megawatts, local authorities can trigger an independent public inquiry if they object.
The public can participate in the planning processes and their views are taken into account at every stage.
Projects not meeting planning requirements are refused consent. About a third of all applications are refused. [16]

Myth 10: Onshore wind is being promoted at the expense of other renewables

The facts:

The Government has committed £525 million in 2009 to develop longer-term renewables, such as offshore wind, wave and tidal, solar, biomass and community projects.
Onshore wind is currently the most economically viable renewable technology with scope for expansion, but it will increasingly operate as part of a renewables mix as other technologies come on line.
The UK is already the world's second-biggest offshore wind generator. Plans for further offshore wind farms represent the world's biggest expansion of offshore renewable energy.

Footnotes and references:

British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) website, 01.05.2009.
BERR, UK Renewable Energy Strategy, issued 26 June 2008. Larger and more powerful offshore turbines would also be required.
WEA website, November 2004.
Energy Issues Research - MORI - 7.11.2005 (external link).
BBC Website 8.3.2006 (external link).
TSU, 1997.
RICS Survey - Impact of wind farms on the value of residential property and agricultural land - 3.11.2004
Public Attitudes to Windfarms: Survey of Local Residents in Scotland, Scottish Executive Social Research - MORI, 2003
BWEA
BWEA website, May 2009.
Dispelling the Myths of Energy Payback Time - Milborrow, 1998.
Based on a turbine life of 20-25 years - BWEA.
DTI Renewables Obligation Statutory Consultation, August 2001.
Mott MacDonald, 2003.
Planning Policy Statement 22: Renewable Energy - ODPM, August 2004.
Based on applications in the year to September 2004