Environmental impacts of wind energy: a scientific and policy perspective
Student name: Ms Anshika Gupta
Guide: Dr Kamna Sachdeva
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: Earthood Services Private Limited
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Kaviraj Singh
Abstract: According to GWEC 2014, worldwide power generation from wind energy amounts to
369,597 MW at the end of 2014. Wind energy is referred to as a very clean and
environmentally safe option of power generation. India is making special provisions to make
increment in wind power generation potential of the country according to the 13th Five Year
Plan. Adding to all the environmental safeguards that wind as a resource might provide, are
some environmental, wildlife and human health hazards also that it might pose. This study
presents an elaborate literature review of the negative impacts of wind energy. It also takes
inspiration from other countries for the environmental policies that should be applied to wind
farms. This study points out that due to construction and commissioning activities, air quality
of the area in the vicinity of the wind farm deteriorate. It also pose a risk of bird and bat
mortality calculated according to collision risk model. Noise is another hazard which, may
not acutely but chronically, might affect the health of the human population residing in close
vicinity.
