In a recent conference held at his Florida resort, US President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to halt the construction of wind turbines across the country. "We are going to have a policy where no windmills will be built," Trump declared, reiterating his long-standing opposition to this form of renewable energy.

Arguments against wind energy

Trump described wind turbines as "garbage" that is polluting the nation. He claimed that wind energy is "the most expensive energy out there" and significantly costlier than clean natural gas. He also criticized what he called the "massive subsidies" that the US government provides to the wind industry.

In his remarks, Trump argued that windmills are not only inefficient without subsidies but also harmful to the environment and marine life. He cited alleged disruptions to whales off the coast of Massachusetts, where, according to him, there has been a dramatic increase in strandings linked to wind turbines.

Additionally, he expressed concern over the environmental challenges of disposing of wind turbine blades, which are made from materials that are difficult to recycle.

Global and economic impact

Trump's statements have sparked political controversy and caused immediate economic repercussions. Stocks in European renewable energy companies suffered sharp declines: Vestas and Ørsted led the losses with drops of over 6%, followed by Siemens Energy, EDP, and Acciona.

The US, previously seen as a global leader in wind energy development, may lose its momentum in the sector. Earlier projections from Mordor Intelligence indicated that the wind energy market could grow at an annualized rate of 5.87% through 2027, driven by large-scale projects initiated by the Biden administration. However, Trump’s proposed policies could derail this progress.

International criticism

Trump’s critique extended beyond US borders, targeting offshore wind projects in the United Kingdom’s North Sea. In a Truth Social post, he said, "The UK is making a big mistake. Open up the North Sea and get rid of the windmills!"

Shifting energy policies

Trump also vowed to reverse the Biden administration’s ban on offshore drilling and suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America." These measures aim to bolster fossil fuel production at the expense of renewable energy sources.

A controversial energy future

Trump's statements reignite debates about the future of energy in the US and its environmental implications. While his critics argue that halting renewable energy initiatives jeopardizes the nation’s climate leadership, his supporters view these policies as a way to strengthen energy independence and the fossil fuel economy.

The consequences of these decisions will be critical in shaping the economic and environmental landscape in the coming years, both in the US and globally.