Are turbines just hot air windmills?

American President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Scotland has raised the topic of how effective and how green are offshore wind turbines.

During a whirlwind four-day trip he mixed business with pleasure meeting the UK and Scottish heads of government in between rounds of golf and promoting his course at Turnberry and opening a new 18-hole links at Menie.

As soon as he arrived at Prestwick Airport at his first press conference, the president reiterated his distaste for wind farms, by saying “stop the windmills – you’re ruining your countries”.

His company, Trump International, previously lost a long-running court battle to halt a major wind power development being built in the North Sea off Aberdeen. The president argued that the project, which included 11 wind turbines, would spoil the view from his golf course at Menie in Aberdeenshire.

The president said wind turbines were an ecological “con job,” killing birds and driving whales “loco” and he said he wouldn’t allow a single “windmill” to be built in the United States.

“I found his comments shocking and worrying,” said Midlands green energy expert Ron Fox. “His views are not backed up by the facts.”

Firstly, he said, climate change is not a theory, but was supported by scientific evidence.

Secondly, wind turbines are considered environmentally friendly and a clean energy source, because they produce electricity with very low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.

Thirdly, wind turbines and other renewable sources help provide Britain’s energy. They generated 46.3 per cent of the UK’s electricity during the first quarter of 2025, according to the latest Energy Trends report from the Westminster government.

Fourthly, wind is an inexhaustible, abundant and sustainable natural energy resource.

Fifthly, although manufacturing and construction have some associated emissions, wind turbines have a significantly lower carbon footprint over their lifespan compared to fossil fuel and particularly coal-fired power plants.
Sixthly, they are cost-effective. Land-based wind turbines are one of the lowest-cost sources of electricity available.

Seventhly, there are huge economic benefits as wind energy projects create jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, and can contribute to local economic growth.

But Ron did accept there were some negatives aspects of turbines.

Firstly, there were potential environmental impacts on birds and bats flying into the rotating blades. But he said this could be mitigated by site selection and operational adjustments.

Secondly, wind turbines can have a visual impact on the landscape, though this is often subjective and can be minimized through design and siting.

Thirdly, wind turbines can produce noise, but modern designs and careful placement can reduce this impact.

Fourthly and finally, wind farms require land, but this can be reduced by building offshore wind farms and by siting onshore turbines on previously developed land.

“But overall, the environmental benefits of wind energy, particularly its low carbon emissions and renewable nature, easily outweigh the potential negative impacts,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science and Innovation Park. “I believe wind turbines are playing a valuable part in the UK’s transition to a cleaner and greener energy future.”

For those wanting more advice about turbines and green energy, call Ron on 0845 474 6641 or contact us here.

Caption: Offshore and onshore wind turbines play an import part in helping beat climate change.