ASK4WIND Wind Energy - Myths and Truths
About this good practice
The primary problem addressed by this good practice is the widespread misinformation and skepticism in society regarding wind energy. In recent years, as Greece has ramped up efforts to transition toward renewable energy, public opposition and misconceptions about wind farms have grown, often fueled by:
Environmental concerns (e.g., impacts on biodiversity and landscapes)
Mistrust toward developers or institutions
Myths about efficiency, economic viability, and reliability of wind power
The context that triggered this publication is:
• The urgent need for clean energy due to climate change and EU climate goals
• Greece’s national energy strategy, which heavily involves wind energy
• The need to counter misinformation and engage the public with facts and science-based answers
This Publication achieves its goals through the structured debunking of common myths about wind energy. Each section presents a frequent claim or myth, followed by evidence-based clarification, supported by:
Scientific data
Examples from international and national experiences
Legal and environmental frameworks.
Primary beneficiaries include
• General public, especially those living near planned wind farms
• Students and educators, as a learning resource
• Local communities, gaining clarity and understanding to make informed opinions
• Media professionals, using it to report accurately
• Decision-makers, needing reliable tools to support policy dialogue
Resources needed
Following resources are needed in order to adopt this publication in other countries, municipalities, educational institutions, or public campaigns:
Human Resources : Translators and cultural mediators
Financial Resources : Very low costs for reproduction and translation, Hosting platforms.
Evidence of success
This publication is a best-practice example of how to build social license for wind energy, one of the EU’s most critical policy and deployment challenges. Its clarity, adaptability, alignment with EU values, and proven practical use make it a strong candidate for replication and promotion across Europe.
Potential for learning or transfer
1. Replicable Structure and Format
Example: A German, French, or Polish edition could keep the structure while adapting myths relevant to their local public debate.
2. Addresses a Pan-European Challenge: Public Acceptance of wind energy projects
Transferable Lesson: Combine factual information with emotionally intelligent, respectful communication.
3. Aligns with EU Priorities and Initiatives
• Supports citizen engagement, a key priority under: REPowerEU,European Green Deal, Clean Energy for All Europeans Package
Transfer use: As a communication toolkit in EU-funded projects (e.g., Horizon Europe, Interreg, LIFE).
4. Educational Value
Can be integrated into school programs, adult education, and public awareness campaigns.
Learning opportunity: Inspire other Member States to develop similar public-facing educational materials on renewables.
5. Flexible Use Cases
Transfer advantage: The content is not country-specific, making it easy to localize with minor adjustments.
Further information
Images
Documents
ELETAEN_ask4wind.pdf
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.