Northeastern Brazil in the Shadow of Wind Turbines: Challenges and Socioenvironmental Impacts of the Energy Transition

Authors

  • Fabiane Pereira Machado Dias Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE)
  • Raynara Vitória Matias de Souza Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE)
  • Joyce Laiane Ferreira Alves Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE)
  • Sandiely Leandro da Silva Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE)
  • Lucas Talvane Ferreira Carvalho Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE)
  • Horasa Maria Lima da Silva Andrade Federal Rural University of Pernambuco (UFRPE)
  • Luciano Pires de Andrade Federal University of Agreste de Pernambuco (UFAPE)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18406/2316-1817v17nunico20251995

Keywords:

Renewable energies. Agreste region. Family agriculture. Sustainability.

Abstract

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.

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Published

2025-10-15

How to Cite

Pereira Machado Dias, F., Souza, R. V. M. de, Alves, J. L. F., Silva, S. L. da, Carvalho, L. T. F., Andrade, H. M. L. da S., & Andrade, L. P. de. (2025). Northeastern Brazil in the Shadow of Wind Turbines: Challenges and Socioenvironmental Impacts of the Energy Transition. Revista Agrogeoambiental, 17(unico), e20251995. https://doi.org/10.18406/2316-1817v17nunico20251995

Issue

v. 17 (2025) - Publicação contínua em volume anual

Section

ECOLOGY

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Copyright (c) 2025 Fabiane Pereira Machado Dias, Raynara Vitória Matias de Souza, Joyce Laiane Ferreira Alves, Sandiely Leandro da Silva, Lucas Talvane Ferreira Carvalho, Horasa Maria Lima da Silva Andrade, Luciano Pires de Andrade

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