Northeastern Brazil in the shadow of wind turbines: challenges and socioenvironmental impacts of the energy transition

Although wind energy is recognized as a "clean" energy source, research indicates challenges and negative socio-environmental impacts resulting from the installation of wind farms that affect local communities in the Agreste region in Pernambuco. This study was developed in order to analyzed the socio-environmental challenges and impacts of wind turbines in northeastern Brazil and a sustainable development index, highlighting the opportunities and dilemmas this region faces in the shadow of these installations. Data were collected through individual interviews with residents of rural communities surrounding wind farms within a radius of up to 500 meters from wind turbines. Five dimensions were evaluated: environmental, technical-productive, economic-productive, sociocultural, and political-institutional. Subsequently, an integrated sustainable development index (ISD) was calculated that considered 30 indicators. The integrated diagnosis highlights vulnerabilities and obstacles associated with living alongside wind turbines in the Agreste region. Additionally, this work emphasizes the negative impact that these wind turbines have on the quality of life and daily routine of local farmers. An average ISD of 0.413 was observed and classified as critical in all studied municipalities except Venturosa, which showed a trend toward stability. In summary, despite the purpose of renewable energies to promote sustainability, the identified situation points to low local environmental preservation.