Wind farms are considered a key technology in the energy transition, but are repeatedly criticized by the public. The focus of criticism of wind farms is primarily on concerns about noise pollution and possible health risks, particularly from low-frequency infrasound. But is there actually reliable evidence for these fears?
Wind energy plays a central role in transforming the energy supply towards greater climate protection and independence from fossil fuels. As a comparatively cost-effective and low-emission technology, it makes a significant contribution to electricity generation from renewable sources.
That is why its expansion has been strategically advanced in recent years. In 2025 alone, the share of wind energy on land and at sea was 26.6 percent of total gross electricity in Germany. Ten years ago it was 12.3 percent.
But as the expansion of wind turbines continues, the concerns of many residents in nearby residential areas are also growing. Concerns about noise pollution caused by the constant noise of the rotors as well as possible infrasound, which is perceived as a health risk, are often mentioned.
Do wind farms actually pose health risks?
The debate about possible health risks from wind farms also repeatedly causes legal disputes. In 2019, for example, a farmer and guesthouse operator wanted to seek compensation from a wind farm operator before the Paderborn district court.
The operation of the systems resulted in, among other things, “disruptions in nighttime sleep with frequent awakenings, sometimes palpitations, pressure on the ears, increased headaches, inner restlessness as well as imbalance and fatigue.” In particular, the so-called infrasound – sound with a very low frequency that is inaudible to the human ear – is considered a burden and a potential cause.
But the regional court rejected the lawsuit. The plaintiff was unable to adequately prove that the complaints that occurred were caused by the infrasound from the wind farm. His presentation was simply “based on hypotheses and research approaches, which, however, have not yet led to reliable findings.”
The regional court’s ruling also states that there is no question “that infrasound exists and can also be measured”. However, the current state of research does not allow any conclusions to be drawn that the infrasound generated by wind turbines has negative health effects. The symptoms described by the plaintiff cannot clearly be traced back to this either.
What is the status of research?
In 2020, the Technical Research Center of Finland, in collaboration with the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the University of Helsinki, will publish the results of a long-term study on the effects of infrasound from wind turbines. No evidence of a health risk to residents could be found.
In addition to long-term measurement of noise in residential buildings near wind turbines, the study also carried out surveys and hearing tests. In addition, the researchers were unable to measure any reactions of the autonomic nervous system to infrasound when simulating the sound from wind farms.
Nevertheless, health impairments perceived by residents and those affected can be attributed to the “nocebo effect” – analogous to the “placebo effect”. In this case, negative health effects occur because those affected expect negative effects.
The Federal Environment Agency warned about this in a position paper in 2016. Accordingly, there are no negative health effects due to acoustic effects or possible infrasound pollution from wind turbines.
Despite clear scientific findings, there are always fears and concerns among residents “about potential health risks”. According to the Federal Environment Agency, it is important to “inform people adequately and not leave them alone with their concerns.”
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