Do wind farms bring value to the community?
Wind farms bring a range of social and economic benefits to local communities, extending far beyond the well-known climate advantages. Studies from both the U.S. and Europe show that most people support having wind farms near their homes, [1-2] not only for their crucial role in the global energy transition but also for the lasting benefits it can deliver to communities.
The benefits
Wind farms generate jobs at all skill levels during construction, maintenance, and operations. The industry also creates long-term local jobs in wind turbine service, while skills-transfer programs are available to help workers from the coal and gas industries transition to renewable energy. In the U.S., nearly 126,000 people are employed in this sector, [3] with up to 3 million renewable energy jobs expected by 2050. [4] Over 370,000 wind energy jobs exist in Europe, [5] and the industry is rapidly expanding. Follow the career journey of one of our Site Supervisors here.
Wind farm development can revitalize old industrial towns, bringing not only jobs but also significant upgrades to local infrastructure, such as roads, emergency services ,and power grids. These improvements attract further investment and play a key role in fostering community growth.
Wind turbines provide a domestic source of energy, reducing reliance on power sources that could be affected by international tensions. By diversifying the energy portfolio and relying on wind power, there is more control over our energy future. [6] Wind energy can also help to solve energy poverty by providing marginalized communities equal access to the energy they need – energy systems that generate income and opportunities. [7]
Wind farms provide clean, renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting decarbonization. In 2023, wind energy in Europe prevented 139 million tons of CO2 emissions, [8] equivalent to the emissions from about 29.3 million cars driven for a year.
What’s more, electricity from wind turbines doesn’t pollute our water or air, reducing smog and acid rain. [9] This helps lower health care and environmental costs related to air pollution.
Wind turbines provide one of the lowest-priced energy sources available today. New wind energy capacity combined with grid buildout and flexible system solutions, represents a pathway to lower energy bills. In Europe, more wind energy in the system has steadily helped drive down the price of electricity in power markets since 2021 – all due to the displacement of more expensive power sources [10]
How we work with communities
For a project to be successful, it is key to include the community. We place our community partners at the centre of every project, promoting transparency, communication and early, active engagement from day one.
Our goal is to create long-term value and engagement in the communities where we operate. We build strong relationships with customers, local authorities, and communities, ensuring mutual investment and benefit. We prioritise involvement with the community through events, meeting with government officials, and collaborating with local economic development and environmental groups, as well as much more.
Through our wind farm development projects, we aim to provide reliable, low-cost energy while leaving lasting positive impacts for local communities. This means developing infrastructure and fostering local employment, while enhancing economic resilience and energy security.
CASE STUDY: Delta Wind Harnessing wind power for community growth
The 183 MW Delta project, located in Mississippi, is the state’s first wind project.
With the region’s agricultural and cultural challenges in mind, the project was thoughtfully designed to integrate wind energy with the thriving local farming industry.
The turbines’ high-altitude placement enables access to stronger wind speeds at higher altitudes while allowing farming operations to continue seamlessly around the turbines. The project is set to generate over $60 million in tax revenue and create numerous long-term jobs across the supply chain, driving sustained economic growth in the community.
Explore the project
How wind works
How do wind turbines capture the most energy?
Our designs enable blades to capture wind by tracking its direction and turning to face it, a process called yawing. Our turbines feature aerodynamically designed blades that capture maximum energy in extreme weather conditions. The turbines utilise sensors and advanced computer systems to optimise energy capture and integrate with local and national energy systems for grid balance. Modern wind turbines are the most efficient and cost-effective source of electricity, powering homes across the globe.
1. Wind is caused
by the sun’s uneven heating of the atmosphere, the Earth’s irregular surface, and its rotation. Air moves because of temperature differences, with cold air being heavier than warm air.
2. Wind generates
enough kinetic energy every 24 hours to produce approximately 35 times more electricity than what human activities use daily. Unlike coal or oil, this resource is completely renewed each day.
3. To determine wind speeds and directions
Vestas takes millions of atmospheric observations daily worldwide. This helps us choose the best locations for our wind turbines.
1 WindEurope. (2022, April 22). How do communities all over Europe benefit from having a wind farm nearby? https://windeurope.org/newsroom/news/how-do-communities-all-over-europe-benefit-from-having-a-wind-farm-nearby/
2 Chiu, A., Guskin, E., & Clement, S. (2023, October). Americans don’t hate living near solar and wind farms as much as you might think. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2023/10/03/solar-panels-wind-turbines-nimby/
3 Acp. (2024, September 13). Wind Power facts and Statistics | ACP. ACP. https://cleanpower.org/facts/wind-power/
4 The Solutions Project. (n.d.). Renewable Energy vision. https://thesolutionsproject.org/what-we-do/inspiring-action/why-clean-energy/#/map/countries/location/USA
5 WindEurope asbl/vzw. (2024, June 7). Wind energy today | WindEurope. WindEurope. https://windeurope.org/about-wind/wind-energy-today/
6 Vestas. (n.d.). https://www.vestasdeveloperdatabase.com/questions/is-the-energy-the-turbines-produce-exclusively-distributed-domestically
7 Sovacool, B., & Dworkin, M. (n.d.). Energy justice: Conceptual insights and practical applications. Science Direct, 142. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261915000082#preview-section-abstract
8 European Technology & Innovation Platform on Wind Energy [ETIP]. (2024). European Wind Energy Competitiveness Report. In ETIP Wind. https://etipwind.eu/wp-content/uploads/files/publications/20240606-european-wind-energy-competitiveness-report.pdf
9 Wind energy and the environment - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). (n.d.). https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/wind/wind-energy-and-the-environment.php
10 WindEurope asbl/vzw. (2024b, June 7). Wind energy today | WindEurope. WindEurope. https://windeurope.org/about-wind/wind-energy-today/