The disadvantages of wind energy include:

• Modern wind energy converter systems are expensive to set up.
• They can be rather ugly, especially the larger ones, depending on the choice of location and style of construction.
• The noise of the rotor could be annoying if the installation is located close to homes or workplaces.
• The wind does not blow all the time and many areas of Australia do not get enough total wind.
• Maintenance costs for large plant may be high.
• They are not suitable for mobile needs, such as construction camps.
• Wind-driven generators linked to diesel generators can reduce the efficiency of the diesel plant.
• Batteries are sometimes neces­sary for a back-up supply.
• Potential TV interference caused by rotor.
• A possible hazard to bird life. (Although, monitoring to date suggests that the rotating blades make them more visible to birds than other high structures.)

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