Wind energy development must also compete with other uses for the land, and it may not be as highly valued since there are other ways to produce electricity. The use of wind energy is environmentally and economically efficient. Relative to the other sources of energy, the energy input is much less than that of the output. The impact on the environment is very low, and the benefits received are very great. Using wind energy will help eliminate the production of solid wastes from the other energy plants, create new jobs, and help improve our environment by not emitting any pollutants.
Wind energy is the one of the most inexpensive forms of energy on the market.
The turbines and the underground wiring are the only objects used in harvesting wind energy. This cuts costs because the fuel and wind is free. A medium sized turbine will pay for itself easily within a one-year period. Table 1, below, shows the cost per kilowatt-hour for each of the available energy sources. On average, wind energy costs .05 cents per kilowatt-hour.