1.   Wind Energy Advantages.

Followings are the advantages of wind energy production.

a.   Combat Climate Change.      Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment. Glaciers have shrunk, ice on rivers and lakes are breaking up earlier, plant and animal ranges have shifted and trees are flowering sooner. Effects that scientists had predicted in the past would result from global climate change are now occurring, loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves. The major source of climate change is burning of fossil fuels for energy production, this results in carbon emission. As shown, the global temperature is increasing more than 1^oC annually. Due to this, we expect to see more heatwaves. Extreme heat can “overpower the human body” and cause dehydration, heatstroke, and major organ damage.

The wind energy is a clean source of energy production, this has minimal impact on natural ecosystem.

Wind energy doesn't pollute the air like power plants that rely on combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, which emit particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide causing human health problems and economic damages. Wind turbines don't produce atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain, smog, or greenhouse gases.

b.   Energy Security. The wind energy provides energy security as the wind is available locally and we do not have to rely on imported oil or Gas. This also boosts the regional infrastructure development and economic development.

c.   Cost Effective. The Land-based utility scale wind is one of the lowest priced energy sources available today, costing between two and six cents per kilowatt-hour, depending on the wind resource and the particular project’s financing. Because the electricity from wind farms is sold at a fixed price over a long period of time, its fuel is free, wind energy mitigates the price uncertainty that fuel costs add to traditional sources of energy.

d.   Jobs Creation. The wind sector creates a lot of opportunities. The U.S. wind sector employed more than 100,000 workers in 2016, and wind turbine technician is one of the fastest growing job of the decade. According to the Wind Vision Report, wind has the potential to support more than 600,000 jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and supporting services by 2050.

e.   Fast Installation.        The wind project could be installed within one to two years while the conventional thermal power plants usually take more than four years. 

f.    Inexhaustible and Renewable energy source.      Wind energy is plentiful and readily available, and capturing its power does not deplete our natural resources. Improved technologies and taller turbines allow wind deployment in areas with lower wind speeds. In addition, offshore wind has tremendous energy potential.

g.   No Water consumption.        Most electric power plants require water to operate, but producing electricity from the wind does not require water. Researchers estimate that wind power generation in 2013 reduced power sector water consumption by 36.5 billion gallons.

2.   Disadvantages of Wind Energy.

a.   Reliability issue.           Wind energy is intermittent and it totally depends on the weather to be able to harness power. The production will be available only when wind is blowing. In case atmospheric conditions are not good enough, wind energy technologies would lack the ability to generate any electricity. This might prompt campaigns by the authorities to reduce energy usage in order to serve the population for sustainable energy.

b.   Disturbance to Wildlife.          Birds have been killed by flying into spinning turbine blades. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants.

c.   Turbine Noise.   Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to conventional power plants, concern exists over the noise produced by the turbine blades.

d.   Remote Location.       Good wind resources are often located in remote areas and far from the city. Transmission lines must be built to bring the electricity from the wind farm to the city. This also creates logistic and accessibility problems. The cost of travel and maintenance on the turbines increases and is time consuming. Offshore wind turbines require boats and can be dangerous to manage.

e.   Require Massive Space.        The wind energy plants usually take more land area compare to the thermal power plants.