Farmers have cultivated land where they have made a living by rearing livestock or growing crops for millennia.
And traditional farming is now much harder to sustain than it formerly was in many areas. Many people have turned to alternatives as a result — such as wind energy and agriculture cooperating in some way.
As a result, the supermarkets’ avarice and the compelling need to increase our production of renewable energy may have coincided at a favorable time for farmers.
The land will be needed to erect wind turbines as we enter an era where alternative energy sources are sought after.
Farmers can now evaluate how they might use agricultural land to farm wind given the rise in demand for wind energy.
Even though practically every nation has a wealth of land, farmers have typically been reluctant to part with it.
Particularly for obtrusive wind turbines. However, this transformation has already begun in several places.
Farmers now own community wind power projects in the UK7, as may be seen. This risky move may be an indication of a shifting market.
Despite this, agriculture and wind energy coexist.
Why Agriculture and Wind Energy Are Required
To reduce the production of harmful or toxic energy
To limit the production of harmful energy, we must make significant changes.
Fossil fuels are being consumed at a rate that will cause their depletion by the end of the century.
Additionally, we are contributing to a lot of environmental issues by producing carbon emissions.
So, finding alternative energy sources is becoming more and more necessary, and wind energy fits the bill.
To boost farmer’s income
Farmers have the opportunity to boost their revenue while giving the area to apply the technology by attempting to combine wind energy and agriculture.
To raise availability and dependency on environmentally friendly energy
At this time, we produce 591,594 MW of wind energy globally.
Even though it only represents a small portion of the total, wind power is expanding by about 9% annually.
This expansion is consistent with its anticipated growth in the role it plays in lowering carbon emissions and our dependency on fossil fuels.
Consequently, wind farms will undoubtedly play a bigger role in the future of sustainable energy.
Do Farmers Gain from Wind Farms?
While some people would think this is awful (farming around wind turbines), for farmers it’s a solution, or alternative if you like.
Arguably, the disadvantages of wind farming greatly outweigh the advantages.
As a result, it appears that wind farms will provide the agricultural sector with a tempting opportunity; however, farmers still have the option to keep cattle or grow crops.
It could initially appear as though wind farms would supplant agriculture.
While it’s always possible that farmers will have to give up or sell property, integrating wind energy and agriculture has several advantages:
Farmers Can Save Money with Wind Farms
As aforementioned, it’s challenging for farmers to make a living.
They are being hard-hit by supermarket competition that drives farm commodities prices lower and by rising production costs.
Despite this, wind farms can assist farmers in increasing food production.
How can farmers achieve that? They can reduce their costs by using the electricity the turbines produce.
That way, farmers will save money that they may use to spiral food production.
They may raise output, buy new machinery, and boost their earnings all at once.
Farmers can sustain a stable income by farming around wind turbines
Regarding wind farms, farmers have two options for disposing of their land: either to fully sell it or lease it.
When compared to other energy sources, it appears, however, that at least some landowners have a favorable attitude toward using the land for wind energy.
Land sale
Land sales are not simple decisions to make. In the end, it becomes a financial decision that must benefit farmers but need not spell the end of their farming careers.
Farmers will gain from a sizable payout that would enable them to go on farming if they decide to sell a portion of their land to make use of wind energy. But a lot of farmers are opting to lease their property.
Leasing option
Then, while still maintaining ownership, this turns into an extra source of revenue for them.
They will need to have specific requirements for their land to exercise the lease option.
Despite this, the money they make can aid in their financial security.
Additionally, they might reinvest the funds in their company.
Wind turbines are not the end of farming – farmers can still farm
It’s still possible for farmers to utilize the land even after wind farms have been built there.
Contrary to common belief, cropland continues to be usable even after installation.
The turbines will typically occupy between a quarter and a half acre of space. This indicates that about 98% of the land can still be farmed.
Although the construction of wind farms causes some inconvenience, the farmer can generally carry on virtually as usual.
They can continue to plant crops close to the turbines. Farmers who grow cattle are still able to use the surrounding property.
Agriculture Can Benefit from Energy Development
The concept of wind farms would have faced fierce opposition in the past. In the UK, there is still a chance for local opposition.
However, the results of the planning process have been blamed for opposition to wind farms.
Despite this, it appears that attitudes are changing as people become more aware of the requirements and advantages.
To stop the harm, we are doing to the environment, we must limit greenhouse gas emissions.
The wind is one of the best alternative energy sources out there.
Some Drawbacks of Farming Around Wind Turbines
Since wind farms started to make sense as a source of renewable energy, many people have expressed worry about their placement on the landscape.
Despite wind turbines scattered over our landscape producing clean energy, they do influence the environment:
Wind turbines disrupt wildlife habitation
Concerns have been raised during installation about wildlife and habitats, not to mention the issue of damaging species following installation.
The way wind turbines function also harms the bird’s flight route.
Wind turbines are noisy
The noise that wind turbines make might be problematic.
Wind Turbine invades the landscape
Where there used to be miles-long vistas, we can now witness the expansion of wind farms on numerous horizons.
Spiraling Initial Costs
The cost of supplies rises as a result of the taller structures.
Additionally, there is the extra expense of installing electrical cables. The installation costs come next.
Depending on how it will be utilized, the installation cost will change.
A smaller turbine may cost between $3,000 and $8,000 per kilowatt for a home or farm. But tax advantages can lower the overall cost.
Summary
Agriculture and wind energy can coexist. Farmers require some grasp of the advantages, though.
Perception is shifting as we transition to cleaner energy.
Many people now consider wind farms as necessary rather than as a blight on the countryside.
Alternatives are needed now, and we need them now.
However, there is now a ton of evidence showing that farmers, rather than seeing wind farms as a threat, can gain from fusing wind energy and agriculture.
The fact that farmers can gain financial gain while maintaining their capacity to farm brings a new level of attention to the whole concept.
All of a sudden, it has so many advantages.
