Opponents of wind energy like to claim that so much CO2 is "consumed" during the construction of the facilities that the CO2 balance remains negative over the entire lifetime of the wind turbines. But this is not true: The CO2 emissions generated during production are already offset by the low-emission operation after just a few months. Wind turbines are therefore not harmful to the climate, but are rightly considered one of the cleanest sources of energy.
Firstly, it is important to understand that the production of wind turbines, like many other industrial processes, causes CO2 emissions. Energy is required for the production of the steel and concrete parts, the transport of the components to the site, and the assembly of the turbines. The production of individual components such as the tower, nacelle, rotor blades, and other elements accounts for the largest share of CO2 emissions. This is mainly due to the materials used, such as concrete and metals. In comparison, logistics, installation, operation, and maintenance cause significantly lower CO2 emissions, as shown by a study from the German Environment Agency . Other studies indicate that wind turbines emit significantly less CO2 over their entire lifespan than fossil fuels. In fact, the initial CO2 emissions of a wind turbine are often offset within a few months, depending on the wind frequency at the site.
How efficiently the plants save CO2 is proven by numerous studies by independent research institutes. Depending on the wind farm examined, it takes only three to nine months for the CO2 savings from the generated clean electricity to be as large as the amount of CO2 released during construction. When accounting for disposal at the end of its lifespan, it takes between five months and a year. After that, the wind turbines produce clean, carbon-neutral electricity for many years. With an assumed lifespan of 20 years, each rotor saves between 40 and 70 times as much CO2 depending on the wind conditions at the location, as was released during its production and disposal .
Wind turbines are virtually emissions-free in operation. They generate electricity from the power of the wind without emitting harmful greenhouse gases. This is one of the main reasons why wind energy is considered a clean and environmentally friendly source of energy. The only emissions that occur during operation are indirect emissions resulting from maintenance and occasional part replacements. However, these emissions are minimal compared to the continuous emissions from energy generation using coal, oil, or gas. Therefore, wind turbines are not environmentally damaging as they can offset the CO2 emissions generated during their manufacture within a few months.
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