Author – Jack Anderson
In recent years, the world has taken a step forward for sustainable development, and wind energy has emerged as a key player. As we choose more greener options, wind energy comes forward as a symbol of innovation in the face of environmental challenges. So now it is more important to comprehend how wind energy affects the environment as we navigate the challenging landscape of renewable resources.
In this article, we examine the environmental impacts of wind energy in India and the challenges of balancing environmental conservation for a cleaner and greener future.
What is Wind Energy?
Wind energy is a form of renewable energy where wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind to mechanical power which in turn is converted to electricity. This rotational energy can also be used for grinding, moving water vessels, pumping water or converting it into electricity by a generator. This contributes to a greener environmentally friendly approach and provides an effective substitute for traditional fossil fuels
Wind energy is the second largest renewable source of energy in the world behind solar energy. According to the Global Wind Energy Council’s Global Wind Report, a large amount of potential wind energy equivalent to 906 Gigawatts was available , which is sufficient to disrupt the world’s 1.1 billion tonnes of fossil fuel output.
Types of Wind Power Plants
There are mainly three types of wind power plants: onshore wind farms and offshore wind farms:
1. Onshore Wind Farm
An onshore wind farm has a group of wind turbines placed on barren land to produce electricity from wind energy. These wind farms are particularly located in remote rural areas or fields with consistent and strong wind patterns to maximize their efficiency. It is also a cost-effective approach for farmers to communicate and pump water. Land-based farms can be readily integrated with solar power plants or be easily connected to a utility power grid. It is also perfect for remote villages in windy areas to produce decentralised electricity sustainably.
2. Offshore Wind Farms
Offshore wind farms are a group of turbines that are placed in large bodies of water. These are typically installed in the open sea or large lakes but not with deep water levels. However, floating wind turbines have recently been installed on the sea, such as the world’s largest floating offshore wind farm is located in Kincardine, off the coast of Scotland. An offshore wind farm turbine can harness high winds on the sea and has the advantage of lower installation costs.
3. Distributed Wind Power
Distributed wind power is a decentralized method of installing smaller-scale wind turbines near the location of electricity consumption to produce electricity. They aim to provide electricity locally to nearby residences or communities. These smaller turbines are typically mounted on rooftops or public areas to collect wind energy and turn it into electric power. Distributed wind power is a cost-effective and eco-friendly option for localized power demand. They also have the benefit of reducing transmission losses since there is no long-distance power delivery.
How does Wind Energy Impact the Environment?
Generating electricity from wind energy is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways as it does not emit carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Unlike traditional power plants, wind energy requires minimal water for cooling. Wind farms usually occupy a relatively smaller area as compared to fossil fuel power plants.
Although wind energy is an important source of renewable energy, there are some concerns about the environmental impacts of wind turbines. The impact of wind turbines on wildlife is concerning since there have been fatalities among birds and bats. The rotating wind turbines challenge the environment with their noise and vibration. However, these negative impacts can be mitigated through the latest innovations and technologies.
Let us delve into both the positive and negative impacts of wind energy on the environment:
Positive Impacts of Wind Energy on the Environment
- Less Greenhouse Gas Emissions — Unlike fossil fuels, wind power generation generates electricity without releasing pollutants such as carbon dioxide, which helps to mitigate climate change.
- Conservation of Water Resources — Wind energy requires minimal water for its operations so the water conservation of this precious resource promotes sustainability.
- Minimal Land Use — Compared to fossil fuel-based power plants, wind farms often occupy much smaller geographical areas. This supports biodiversity, ecosystem preservation, and land conservation, all of which are objectives of sustainable development.
Negative Impacts of Wind Energy on the Environment
- Threat to Birds and Marine Creatures — The impact of wind turbines on birds and marine creatures remains a concern. There might be an occurrence of collision of birds with rotating wind turbine blades that results in fatalities. Offshore wind farms do negatively impacts marine habitats, since the support structures and subsea cables pose collision risks for marine creatures.
- Noise Pollution — Wind turbines can produce noise, and impact the community’s health. Noise generated by the vibration and movement of turbine blades is aerodynamic. People near wind turbine farms are affected by this noise but these issues do not adversely impact public health.
- Shadow Flicker — There’s a shadow cast on the ground when wind turbine blades are rotating. The repetitive nature of this shadow creates a flickering effect during sunrise or sunset. This shadow flicker affects visually and can cause health-related concerns.
How to Reduce Negative Impacts?
There are possible ways to mitigate the negative impacts of wind energy:
Proper Planning and Design of Wind Farms
To reduce the negative impacts of wind energy, there should be proper planning and thoughtful design of wind farms. Potential impacts on the local environment, wildlife habitats, and on neighboring communities should all be thoroughly examined. Wind turbines should be installed away from critical habitats and migration routes to safeguard wildlife. Further, newer, quieter turbine technologies need to be utilized to reduce noise pollution.
Careful planning and implementation strategies are required to minimize the impact during installation. During construction, best practices need to be employed to prevent soil erosion and pollution of water bodies. The establishment of buffer zones and restoration of temporary habitat measures can provide protective spaces for local ecosystems to recover.
Take Additional Measures to Protect Birds
Birds are a crucial consideration for sustainable wind power development, so the following measures need to be taken to mitigate the impact on birds:
- Proper site selection for identifying areas with low bird concentrations
- Increase the spacing between turbines can also reduce the risk of collisions
- Explore and invest in emerging technologies such as radar systems to detect bird movement and discourage them from entering the turbine
- Modify or eliminate non-essential lighting on wind turbines
- Involve local communities, bird conservation groups, and ornithologists in the planning and monitoring processes
Wind Energy in India
The Government of India has put in great efforts on the development and advancement of wind energy. Wind energy has become a major renewable source of energy, accounting for nearly 10% of India’s total installed utility power generation. India has been promoting wind energy through various government policies and initiatives such as:
- National Wind Energy Mission
- National Offshore Wind Energy Policy
- Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy
With the third-largest operating wind power facilities in the world, India has a great deal of potential to overtake its present ranking as the world’s third-largest producer of wind energy. India has installed wind energy that has a power capacity of 43GW as of 31 May 2023. Some of the major wind farms with their capacities are mentioned below:
| Wind power plants in India | Megawatt (MW) | Location |
| Muppandal wind farm | 1500 | Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu |
| Jaisalmer wind park | 1064 | Jaisalmer, Rajasthan |
| Brahmanvel wind farm | 528 | Dhule, Maharashtra |
| Dhalgaon wind farm | 278 | Sangli, Maharashtra |
| Vankusawade wind park | 259 | Satara, Maharashtra |
Final Words
To wrap up, the significance of wind energy is sustainable and clean, it is also essential to address its environmental impacts. According to experts at CDR Writers Australia, the wind power industry needs to acknowledge the need for proper site selection, technological advancements, and environmental impact assessments to mitigate negative impacts. As wind energy advances, it is essential to balance its advantages against environmental effects to create a greener and more sustainable future.