Abstract
In recent years, wind power in Brazil has emerged as an alternative to diversify the country′s energy mix and minimize the emission of pollutants derived from fossil fuels. The state of Rio Grande do Norte, in the Brazilian Northeast, has considerable potential for the generation of wind energy due to the occurrence of strong winds in many areas along the coast and in the interior of the state, in places with higher altitudes. However, wind energy, despite being considered clean and renewable, can cause environmental impacts in those places. Thus, the present study analyzed the perception of environmental impacts caused by the installation of wind farms in the agricultural areas of Northeast Brazil. The study was carried out in the municipality of Serra do Mel, in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Norte, based on a survey of local farmers. The study concluded that farmers live without major problems and without apparent conflicts with wind farms but have little knowledge about the environmental impacts. In the perception of most farmers, there are few negative environmental impacts, and those that exist are barely noticed or still do not cause damage to most farmers in the region.
Highlights
The demand for alternative renewable energy production is increasing around the world, especially with the official commitment of various government authorities to reduce atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants by replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources
This study presents an analysis, through the perception of residents in the agricultural areas of Serra do Mel-Rio Grande do Norte (RN), which basically had their economy and customs linked to subsistence agriculture, of the environmental impacts caused by the installation and operation of wind farms
Regarding the knowledge of the negative environmental impacts generated by wind farms, the respondents in all regions had a low level of knowledge or were totally unaware of the subject (Figure 2a)
Summary
The demand for alternative renewable energy production is increasing around the world, especially with the official commitment of various government authorities to reduce atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants by replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources. Among the renewable sources that have received incentives for expansion around the world, we highlight wind energy [1]. The coastal territories, which often present land tenure uncertainties [3], were, by public policies, legitimized and standardized for renewable energy projects that, by their nature, occupy large tracts of land to produce electricity [4]. There is a process of interiorization, advancing towards the semiarid region, especially in areas dominated by mountains, tablelands and plateaus [5], with preference for flat rural areas, and without vegetation, obstacles or significant buildings, since they offer the most stable wind flow [6]
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