Experts debunk viral claim about wind turbines — here’s what the post got wrong

on social media has spurred questions about just how resource-intensive they are to build.

, former University of Melbourne geology professor Ian Plimer incorrectly alleged that a single wind turbine requires a staggering 33,000 tons of both concrete and iron ore. Experts and industry representatives are calling this a massive exaggeration — by a factor of 10 or even more.

mining companies, which has enriched him and could explain his stances.

paints a much more sustainable picture. A typical 6.2-megawatt wind turbine, for example, requires roughly 2,700 tons of concrete and 1,300 tons of iron ore — less than a 10th of the amounts claimed in the video.

, who pointed out that these figures are consistent with the findings of major manufacturers like Vestas and Acciona Energy.

and optimal placement enhance efficiency, reinforcing wind power as a continued clean energy solution.

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Unlike coal plants, which continuously burn dirty fuel, turbines harness the wind — producing clean, cheap energy for decades with minimal pollution.

from The Australian National University explained, claims like Plimer’s often confuse the requirements for an entire wind farm with those of a single turbine, leading to unnecessary alarm.

we have. By focusing on facts and pushing back against myths, we can better understand the role technologies like wind turbines play in building a cleaner, healthier future.

of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.

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