Revolution Mythbusters #5

Wind Farms Negatively Impact Tourism

In this 12 part, quick-fire Mythbusters series, Revolution author Todd Westbrook dispels the myths and misconceptions that surround the wind power movement. This time, Todd tackles the idea that wind farms negatively affect Scottish tourism…

MYTH: WIND FARMS NEGATIVELY IMPACT TOURISM

Todd says:
Repeated studies have found that tourism and wind farms can happily co-exist, and that turbines do not have a direct impact on holiday decisions. Denmark has loads of turbines (even Copenhagen has numerous wind assets) and a thriving tourism sector. There is some evidence that people with strong anti-wind feelings, and those seeking to escape all elements of modern life, will avoid areas with wind farms.

On the flip side, several wind farm visitor centres have become well-established attractions – the one at Scottish Power’s operational Whitelee project outside Glasgow has had 500,000 visitors since the doors opened in 2009.

Next time: Todd questions the assumption that wind farms need back up …