Myth: Turbines are taking over the countryside
The facts:

• There are now some 1,120 turbines in 90 locations.
• Generating 10 per cent of UK electricity from renewables by 2010 could mean an increase by around another one and half times the current number.
• Less than 1/20,000th of the UK (800ˆ1,200 hectares) would be used for foundations and access roads.
• Land between turbines can still be used for farming or natural habitat.

Myth: Wind farms are unpopular
The facts:

• Research suggests quite the reverse.
• 90 per cent of the public believe the Government should encourage the use of renewable energy.
• 80 per cent support Government plans to significantly increase wind turbines.
• 74 per cent agree that wind farms are needed to meet current and future energy needs.
• 66 per cent would approve of a new wind farm in their area.
• Approval is over 80 per cent among those already within 5 kilometres of a wind farm.

Myth: Turbines are a health hazard
The facts:

• Wind generation produces no emissions, harmful pollutants or waste products.
• In 25 years of wind generation, with 68,000 turbines now worldwide, there are no significant reports of health issues. This includes Denmark, whose turbine density is 30 times that of the UK.
• The DTI has commissioned an independent study in response to public concerns about low frequency noise.
• However, vibration levels 100 metres from turbines are a factor of 10 lower than the safety requirements for modern laboratories.
• Each development requires a noise assessment which can be validated by the Environmental Health Officer.

Myth: Wind farms devastate house prices
The facts:

• A study by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors suggests that wind farms have no lasting impact on UK house prices.
• This study is supported by evidence at wind farms in England, Scotland and Wales.
• It shows that local house prices recover from any initial impact once a wind farm has been operating for two years.
• Evidence suggests that those living nearest to wind farms are their strongest advocates.
• People promoting fears of falling prices risk making them self-fulfilling.

Myth: Wind farms keep tourists away
The facts:

• Many wind farms are tourist attractions.
• 30,000 people have visited the information centre for the new Scroby Sands offshore wind farm since May 2004.
• 90 per cent of tourists surveyed in Scotland said wind farms make no difference to enjoyment of their holiday.
• Twice as many would return to an area because of a wind farm than would stay away.

Myth: Turbine blades threaten bird populations
The facts:

• UK wind farms have not been associated with any major adverse effects on birds.
• By far the biggest threat to UK bird populations is climate change, which is mitigated by renewables such as wind.
• Environmental assessments are required as part of the planning process, to ensure wind farms are properly sited and configured in relation to bird movements.
• These assessments have improved the understanding of bird ecology, helping conservation.

Myth: Wind produces little power 
The facts:

• A single 1.8-megawatt turbine can produce enough power for 1,000 homes.
• Existing wind projects generate enough for nearly half a million homes.
• The average UK wind farm will pay back the energy used in its manufacture within three to five months ˆ more quickly than coal and nuclear plants.
• Over its lifetime, a wind farm will repay this energy 50 times over.
• The geographical spread of wind farms minimises the loss of generation when the wind stops in any one location.
• Back-up generation is already in place to cover shut-downs of other forms of generation; little further back-up will be needed up to 2010 to cover periods when wind and other renewables generation is low.

Myth: Wind energy will not help climate change
The facts:

• Producing 10 per cent of electricity from renewables in 2010 could cut carbon emissions by 2.5 million tonnes a year.
• Wind generation produces no carbon emissions.
• Every unit of energy generated by wind doesn‚t need to be generated by carbon-producing sources.
• Any emissions savings lost through use of fossil fuel back-up will be minimal to 2010.22
• Wind is part of a range of measures to tackle climate change, alongside other renewables and energy efficiency.

Myth: Projects are forced through with no regard for local concerns
The facts:

• Ministers have made it clear that wind farms should only be located in the appropriate place and that local concerns should be listened to.
• All wind farm proposals are subject to a strict planning process, addressing environmental, visual and community impacts.
• Local planning authorities consider onshore proposals up to 50 megawatts (the vast majority of applications to date).
• The planning framework facilitates renewable energy, while maintaining safeguards for landscape and nature conservation.
• It does not impose targets or developments on local authorities.
• For applications over 50 megawatts, local authorities can trigger an independent public inquiry if they object.
• The public can participate in the planning processes and their views are taken into account at every stage.
• Projects not meeting planning requirements are refused consent.
• About a third of all applications are refused.

Myth: Onshore wind is being promoted at the expense of other renewables
The facts:

• The Government has committed £500 million to develop longer-term renewables, such as offshore wind, wave and tidal, solar, biomass and community projects.
• Onshore wind is currently the most economically viable renewables technology with scope for expansion, but it will increasingly operate as part of a renewables mix as other technologies come on line.
• The UK is already the world‚s second-biggest offshore wind generator. Plans for further offshore wind farms represent the world‚s biggest expansion of renewable energy.