Don Quijote might have difficulty tilting at the huge, modern windmills responsible for harnessing wind energy and converting it into electricity. And, present-day windmills certainly aren’t as appealing to the eye as the picturesque, black-and-white structures of Cervante’s day.

But, unappealing as they may look, they are, in fact, the fastest-growing form of energy generators in the World, and help resolve one of mankind’s most serious problems: that of finding environmentally-friendly and renewable fuel sources to meet our increasingly high energy demands.

So, let’s take a closer look at wind power … its advantages, plus any disadvantages it may have.

Advantages

• Clean and Renewable. The fossil fuels of coal, oil and gas harm our environment by contributing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. They are also unsustainable, meaning that they’ll run out one day. Wind, on the other hand, will always be around, and it won’t pollute the atmosphere.

• Cost Effective. Energy created by wind turbines used to cost more than that created by fossil fuels. But, larger blades have cut the costs, making them equal to fossil fuels. What’s more, as technology advances, costs should be even further reduced.

• Quick To Set Up. Once a suitable site has been chosen and the appropriate permission granted, wind farms take very little time to actually build.

• Land Still Usable. The land surrounding the wind turbines can also be used for other purposes, such as agriculture.+

However, as with everything, drawbacks always exist …

Disadvantages

• Unsightly. Most people would agree that the idea of using wind power is a good one. But, in practise, very few want these large, unappealing constructions in their vicinity.

• Noisy. The turbine blades also make quite a lot of noise.

• Harmful To Wildlife. Wind turbines can be hazardous to creatures that fly, such as birds.

Although there are drawbacks, remedies for them are constantly being studied, improvements made, and new blades invented to render the process more cost-effective.

The World is in desperate need of good alternative sources of power, to enable us to end our long-standing dependence on fossil fuels. Wind energy is an excellent option.