Wind Energy Use

Does Wind Power Influence the Climate?

The unrestricted use of wind energy for electricity generation is regarded in many countries as an important part of the energy transition. There is no end to the expansion in sight. Many older first-generation wind turbines have reached the end of their service life. As part of repowering, these systems are often replaced by modern, more powerful models.

This raises the question of whether wind turbines, which are often grouped together in entire wind farms, may themselves also have an influence on climatic processes.

This page provides an overview of possible relationships and the current state of the discussion.

How Wind Turbines Interfere with the Atmosphere

Wind turbines extract kinetic energy from the wind and convert it into electrical energy. This extraction of energy slows the wind down.

As a result, the range of the wind is reduced, which in turn affects the distribution of moisture in the atmosphere — with potentially serious consequences for the global water cycle. Areas with too much and too little water in the air may develop.

Possible effects:

• changes in airflows
• mixing of air layers
• influence on temperature distribution near the ground
• changes in the distribution of water

These effects are not only measurable in the immediate vicinity of wind farms.

The term “renewable energy” creates the impression that energy can be renewed. In fact, energy can only be converted. Even if wind is available again the next day, it is not “renewed” energy, but newly supplied energy. Possible effects therefore represent a latent problem.

Influence on the Microclimate

Studies show that wind turbines can influence the so-called microclimate.

Observed effects:

• slight warming at night
• altered moisture distribution
• altered turbulence in the atmosphere

Do these changes occur only locally, and do they depend on location and weather conditions?

Role in the Global Climate System

The central question is whether local effects can influence larger climatic systems.

Aspects under discussion:

• changes in energy exchange between the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere
• possible effects on the water cycle
• interactions with existing weather systems

Does slightly less wind really matter?

Wind Power Generation

Wind turbines are preferably installed in groups at locations with consistently strong airflows — for example along coasts or in wind corridors over mountain ranges. The extraction of energy is therefore not evenly distributed.

The amounts of energy generated are now considerable:

• In Europe, 428 TWh of electricity were generated by wind power in 2023 and around 475 TWh in 2024. This corresponds to an average continuous output of 49 GW in 2023 and 54 GW in 2024 — comparable to around 50 large power plants.
• Worldwide, electricity production reached 2,304 TWh in 2023 and 2,494 TWh in 2024. This corresponds to an average continuous output of 263 GW and 285 GW respectively — on the order of 250 large power plants.

Assuming an average efficiency of around 30% for converting kinetic flow energy into electricity, the actual influence on wind movement is about three times the generated electrical output.

Distribution of Wind Turbines

Most wind turbines have been installed in the Northern Hemisphere, largely in the climatically temperate Ferrel cell. On a global scale, a large share of wind energy is extracted in the Ferrel cell in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

This may also explain why “Europe is warming faster than all other continents.” The graphic shown on the page, based on 2020 data, illustrates the concentration of sites where energy is extracted from the tropospheric wind system and cites a Nature source.

Scientific Classification

Research on this topic is not yet complete.

Important points:

• many effects can be demonstrated locally
• global impacts are the subject of current research
• results depend strongly on models and assumptions

There is currently no uniform scientific consensus on large-scale climatic impacts.

Advantages and Open Questions

Wind energy offers advantages:

• renewable source of energy
• reduction of fossil emissions

At the same time, questions remain open:

• how strong are the long-term effects?
• what role do large wind farms play?
• are there cumulative effects?
• what long-term impacts on the environment, humans, and animals may occur?

Conclusion

Wind turbines demonstrably influence local atmospheric processes. Whether and to what extent this leads to relevant impacts on the climate is the subject of scientific investigation.

A differentiated view is therefore useful in order to better understand both the opportunities and the possible effects.

Further Content

• The global water cycle explained simply
• Critical aspects of wind energy
• The book on wind power and climate

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