Former US President Donald Trump has reignited his longstanding opposition to wind energy, making disputed claims about turbines visible from his Turnberry golf resort in Scotland. Speaking at a campaign event, Trump alleged the structures cause environmental harm and economic damage—assertions that conflict with scientific studies and industry data.
Property value claims under scrutiny
Trump asserted wind farms “destroy every home’s value for miles,” citing the Ayrshire coastline near his luxury golf course. However, a 2023 UK government study of 300,000 property transactions near turbines found “no statistically significant impact” on prices beyond 2km. Local estate agents report Turnberry-area luxury home prices have risen 22% since 2019 despite nearby wind farm expansion.
Wildlife impact debate continues
The former president’s claim that turbines “kill all the birds” oversimplifies a complex issue. While the RSPB estimates UK wind farms cause 100,000 bird deaths annually, this represents 0.3% of human-caused bird fatalities—far below buildings (55 million) or domestic cats (27 million). Modern turbines now feature radar shutdown systems that reduce collisions by 72%, according to Nature Energy studies.
Economic arguments challenged
Trump’s suggestion that wind energy “kills [sic] manufacturing jobs” contrasts with Scotland’s renewables sector employing 27,000 people—a 77% increase since 2014. The UK’s offshore wind industry now supports 32,000 jobs, with turbine component factories operating in former industrial areas like Hull and Newcastle.
Energy reliability questions persist
While the ex-president called turbines “unreliable,” UK grid data shows offshore wind achieved 57% average capacity factor in 2023—surpassing gas plants (49%). The technology provided 28% of Britain’s electricity last quarter, with modern turbines operating 96% of the time when maintained properly.
Political winds keep shifting
The remarks come as UK Conservatives distance themselves from anti-wind positions, approving 6 new offshore projects last month. Energy analysts note Trump’s views increasingly conflict with global trends, as wind power capacity grew 12% worldwide in 2023—including 8 new US coastal projects approved during his administration.
REFH – Newshub, 29 July 2024
