Do you want to learn about typical prejudices about wind energy? Then you've come to the right place! For the energy transition, wind power is renewable energy However, it is repeatedly criticized by wind turbine opponents with a wide variety of arguments. Too expensive, too loud, too harmful to the environment - such myths are persistent and arise from "hearsay", targeted disinformation and dangerous half-knowledge.
In this article, I present the range of typical misconceptions about wind power - and show you why they are not true, or at least only partially true. Let's go!
1. Wind Energy Is Way Too Expensive!
Wrong. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Costs for electricity from wind turbines worldwide fell by an average of 15 percent again in 2021. Today, wind power is one of the cheapest power generation technologies and is even significantly cheaper than coal or nuclear power.
2. Wind Power Only Works in Strong Wind!
This argument against wind energy is also long outdated. When you click on sustainable green electricity and wind power, it doesn't have to be stormy. Modern turbines also start up in light breezes, around 2.5 m/s is sufficient. So you don't need a hurricane to get the thing turning 🙂
More important is Wind resistanceto be able to feed electricity into the grid. If the wind is too strong, operators even shut down their power plants as a precaution to prevent damage.
3. Wind Turbines Kill Birds!
The prejudice is partly trueas birds can and do die from wind turbines. The greatest danger comes from the rotors - However, there is still potential for innovative solutions in the future.
NABU provides a Estimate of 100,000 animals killed by wind turbines per year in the world. Compared to this, however, every year Around 115 million birds injured by flying into glass panes - and about 600 million chickens in Germany alone in the Factory Farming killed. The outcry of "sudden bird lovers" should therefore be much greater in this respect.
4. Wind Turbines Are Incredibly Loud!
Are you standing right next to a wind turbine, it is quite loud. 105 decibels are reached, about as much as an excavator produces when digging. However, if you are only 250 meters away from the power plant, the noise level drops to just 45 decibels, which is equivalent to a quiet conversation or the natural rustling of trees.
As it is very precise Noise protection laws in Germany there are Wind turbines are of course always built at a sufficient distance from residential areas. So you are not at the mercy of the noise.
5. Wind Energy Makes People Sick!
Wrong. How the Tagesschau reportsIn its election manifesto, the AfD continues to claim that wind turbines endanger animals, people and plants. They like to refer to infrasound as an argument. The However, there is no evidence of this in the studies to date. There is no clear evidence that infrasound has a negative impact on health.
6. Wind Turbines Ruin the Landscape!
Wind turbines are tall, you can see the blades clearly even from a distance. The broad mass of the German population has have long since become accustomed to the sight of wind turbines and does not see any disruptive factors in this.
Apart from this, it should also be borne in mind that other power generators such as coal-fired power plants or nuclear reactors are not invisible underground either stand. They are not only visually problematic, but also ecologically questionable. Interestingly enough, there are even places with historic windmills that are considered tourist attractions 🙂
7. Wind Turbines Can’t Be Recycled!
That is not true either. An average wind power plant works 20 to 30 years according to the Federal Environment Agencyperhaps even longer. And when it has done its job, it can be dismantled in an environmentally friendly way and most of its components returned to the recycling loop.
8. Wind Energy Is Inefficient!
Wrong! Depending on factors such as location, wind conditions and turbine size modern wind turbines pay for themselves energetically in just 3 to 12 months. All subsequent operating hours are positive. The electricity generated is clean and is available on a net basis. And that for a period of 20 to 30 years. In fact coal-fired power plants are inefficient.
9. Wind Turbine Locations Are Chosen at Random!
This prejudice can also be easily refuted. Until a location for a wind turbine is determined, are many steps to go. On the basis of Urban land-use and regional plans municipalities determine where construction is even possible. For example, the legally prescribed distances from residential areas, nature conservation areas and listed buildings must be observed.
10. Most People Are Against Wind Energy!
It is difficult to give exact numbers of wind power opponents because minorities are often loud. However, as already mentioned, the broad mass of the German population is in favor of wind turbines. How the IW Brief Report No. 8/2025 states, people are more likely to accept wind power if they are "affected" by a nearby power plant.
This fact shows very nicely how quickly myths take root in people's minds and how easily they can often be debunked. If the paths are not paved with rows of dead birds and no "hellish noise" is caused, then it was a good thing. In the end, it's not so bad after all. 😉
11. Property Values Drop Near Wind Turbines!
There have been several studies on this assertion, conducted by Energiewende InnSalzach e.V. summarized were recognized. A significant reduction in the value of real estate could not be proven.
12. Wind Power Destroys Forests and Nature Reserves!
Wind turbines are indeed often built in forest areas, but they are also only if there are no suitable areas in the open countryside. In line with the National Biodiversity Strategy In addition, a large part of Germany's forests are excluded from clearing in order to protect the biodiversity to be preserved. And in principle, compensation must always be created for lost forest.
Good to know: Much more forest has to be destroyed for nuclear and coal-fired power plants.
13. Wind Energy Barely Contributes to the Power Supply!
That nothing would work without base load power plants such as coal or nuclearis a false assertion. Even today, around 31.5 percent of German electricity generation from wind power - In total, around 60 percent of the electricity mix comes from renewable energies.
A safe Energy supply without the existence of base load power plants such as coal and nuclear power plants is therefore absolutely possible.
14. Wind Turbines Have a Poor Carbon Footprint!
This is the last false statement of factwhich can be refuted with just a few clicks on the Internet. Wind turbines avoid around 6,790 tons of CO2 per year with a capacity of seven MWas they are much more climate-friendly than nuclear energy, natural gas or lignite. The construction of wind turbines "only" produces around 300 tons of CO2.
Wind power prejudices? Easy to refute!
As you can see, there are still many things to do with wind turbines. untrue claims that fuel fear, insecurity and rejection - and slow down the urgently needed energy transition. For our planet, for the future of nature and for a life without nuclear and coal-fired power, wind energy is the most important source of energy for a sustainable future alongside photovoltaics and hydropower.
"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills."
Chinese wisdom (more at Wind Quotes)
Do you have any questions, suggestions or can you think of any other misconceptions and fake arguments against wind energy? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay sustainable and open to new ideas,
PS: The natural power of the wind is one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources of the future. Why environmental protection is so incredibly importantI will explain in the next article.
