It is unfortunate that most of the suitable sites for the turbines tend to be in some of the most beautiful upland areas of the country and, near where I live in Wales, there is heated debate in progress about a proposed wind farm near Brecon. However, there is more to the wind power debate than the issue of aesthetics. Estimates of the possible total for wind-generated electricity vary enormously, with one report in 1989 putting it at six times the current consumption. A more realistic and achievable figure is now thought to be about 20 per cent, about the same as that which nuclear power provides. Of course, this figure is dependent on the number of suitable sites that can be found, above and beyond the 30 or so windfarms that are currently operating around the country, mostly in Cornwall, Wales, Yorkshire and Scotland.
Some proponents even argue that sheep welcome the structures as windbreaks.
If they are ever decommissioned and dismantled, the turbines leave no toxic residues or significant environmental damage. However, as well as the visual impact of windfarms, some local residents have complained about unacceptable levels of noise from the turbine gearing systems and blades. Some people are particularly sensitive to low level noise and there is evidence that in certain sites, like Llandinam in Wales, the sound is amplified by some sort of resonance within the valley. Other objections include interference with television and radio reception, negative impacts on local tourism and property values, and the potential disruption to wildlife, especially birds. In response to the issue of local tourism, it highlights the fact that the UK's first windfarm near Delabole in Cornwall had 100,000 visitors in its first year of operation.