How much time the plants and systems need to supply more energy than was required for their manufacture?

Are wind turbines a blot on the landscape?

Are wind turbines a threat to birds?

How loud are wind turbines?

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Whether wind turbines are attractive or not is debatable. But windmills are nothing new in the landscape developed and cultivated by man. In 1900, around 30,000 windmills still stood in Northwest Germany. Today around 20,000 wind turbines produce electricity for more than 11 mln households. Their impact on nature and the environment is comparatively small.  

At a distance of 250 metres the audible noises of a wind farm are comparable with those of a quiet conversation. At a distance of more than 500 metres the wind itself is louder than the wind turbines. A turbine must comply with this minimum distance from housing developments anyway. The space required is limited to a few square metres for the foundation and access paths. The risk of birds colliding with wind turbines has in the past been exaggerated in the opinion of the German Nature Conservation Ring (Deutsche Naturschutzring - DNR). Most species fly above the rotors during migration and otherwise fly below the rotors. Risks to birds of prey and bats can be prevented by careful site selection and partial shutdowns. In addition, careful site selection avoids disruption of humans and the environment. An approval procedure for wind energy always includes an assessment of the project from a nature conservation point of view. Larger wind farms must run through an environmental impact assessment. In addition, each person can express their objections, which must be dealt with within the scope of a consultation meeting, before an independent authority makes a decision after comprehensive weighing up and checking. The extensive approval procedures are correct and important - but they can also slow down the development of wind energy. Though, 62 % of all Germans are in favour of an increased development of wind energy – even and especially in their immediate vicinity.
 

Wind energy creates regional added value

The wind industry rejuvenates the economy in many structurally weak areas. It creates new jobs, increases purchasing power, contributes municipal trade taxes to local communities and strengthens farms which tap an additional income source with. Investments and energy expenditure no longer flow out of the area but instead are retained locally. Use for their "personal" abandoning of coal and nuclear power has brought people together in many places, from which numerously locally rooted public wind farms have evolved. Wind turbines are therefore a landmark of the ecological trailblazing role of a region. Recent studies show that tourists welcome wind turbines in their holiday resort and most do not feel disrupted by them. In many places wind turbines are already integrated in tourism concepts, e.g. as viewing towers – all a question of perspective.

The risk of collision of birds with wind turbines has in the past been exaggerated in the opinion of the German Nature Conservation Ring (Deutsche Naturschutzring - DNR). Numerous studies show that wind turbines have a comparatively low negative effect on birds. Most species remain above the rotors during migration and otherwise fly below the rotors.

Increased findings of dead birds occur extremely rarely at mountain ridges and expanses of water. The nature conservation organisation BUND confirms the results of this study and by comparison refers to five to ten million birds which die each year in road traffic and on high-voltage masts. 

Risks to birds of prey and bats can be avoided by careful site selection and partial shutdowns. In addition, careful site selection avoids disruption of humans and the environment in particularly sensitive areas. This is guaranteed by the planning and approval procedures. The State, regional as well as the local urban development planning control the site selection. An approval procedure always includes an assessment of the project from a nature conservation point of view. Compensation and mitigation measures can be arranged depending on the impacts on the balance of nature. Larger wind farms must run through an environmental impact assessment. In addition, each person can express their objections, which must be dealt with within the scope of a consultation meeting, before an independent authority can make a decision after comprehensive weighing up and checking.