Wind energy: energy development and the socio-environmental conflicts inherent to the energy modality

Abstract

One of the most recurring issues in the world today is concern about global energy demand, concomitant with the use of renewable energy sources. The basis of the world energy matrix is petroleum, which is a non-renewable fuel with predictability of exhaustion. In addition, the burning of this fuel, and also of its derivatives, emits Greenhouse Gases (GHG), responsible for much of the environmental imbalance in current days. Among the various forms of renewable energy production, wind energy stands out. Wind energy is the energy from the winds. It is generated when the masses of air move the propellers of the wind towers, which in turn, trigger electric generators. This energy modality is presented as a great resource, since it generates electricity without attacking the environment. However, there has been much discussion about the ecological functionality of wind farms, as well as the socio-environmental and socio-economic impacts of communities near the installation of wind farms. This work aims to address the existing contrasts between environmental and economic development advocated by governments and business groups regarding wind energy, and the socioeconomic and socioenvironmental aspects of the installation of wind farms in communities. The present research uses qualitative methodology, and it is configured as an exploratory and descriptive research.