President-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments about halting wind turbine construction have sent shockwaves through the renewable energy sector, causing significant declines in European wind energy stocks and raising concerns about the future of clean energy initiatives.
During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Trump pledged to implement a policy where “no windmills are being built,” referring to turbines as “garbage” and “the most expensive energy there is”.
Do you think these comments are harmful and reductive?
I kinda do.
The market reaction was swift and severe. Shares of major wind energy companies experienced substantial drops:
– Vestas Wind Systems and Orsted saw their stocks fall by approximately 7%
– Siemens Energy, RWE, and Nordex also experienced significant declines
Trump’s statements, which included claims that wind turbines are “littering” the landscape and rely heavily on government subsidies, come at a challenging time for the wind energy sector. The industry was already grappling with high interest rates and recent project cancellations, such as Orsted’s $4 billion write-down in late 2023.
These comments threaten billions of dollars in planned wind projects and undermine years of progress in the renewable energy industry. The wind energy sector supports over 125,000 jobs in the United States alone, and Trump’s proposed policies could pose significant challenges for companies like Vestas Wind Systems, Orsted, and Siemens Energy.
Moreover, Trump’s unfounded claims about wind turbines harming whales and his criticism of federal investments in renewable energy as wasteful expenditures directly contradict scientific consensus and economic data. This rhetoric not only jeopardises the clean energy narrative but also ignores the fact that wind energy is one of the fastest-growing and most affordable sources of electricity in the country.
Analysts suggest that the stock decline reflects investor concerns about potential policy changes, although some view the drop as a possible overreaction given the long-term growth prospects for renewable energy. The market response highlights the sensitivity of the renewable energy sector to political developments and underscores the potential challenges facing the wind energy industry in the coming years.
Trump’s stance could potentially derail efforts to combat climate change and transition to sustainable energy sources, affecting not only the United States but also global initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. By promoting a return to fossil fuels and dismissing the benefits of wind energy, Trump’s comments threaten to slow down progress towards a cleaner, more sustainable future and could have lasting impacts on both the economy and the environment.
Trump has made a lot of unfounded claims in the last few years and yet, he was elected president of the USA. Do with that information what you will. I’d like to challenge us all to be more of a reflective society and to really think about where we are headed in terms of sustainability so that we can have a place to call home in the next few years.
It is also most important to realise how much power there is in the tongue when you have a little influence. Spread only positive energy vibes friends!
References
Energy Connects (2025) Trump says he wants no wind turbines built during administration. Available at: https://www.energyconnects.com (Accessed: 9 January 2025).
Fox News (2025) Trump windmill production second term claims. Available at: https://www.foxnews.com (Accessed: 9 January 2025).
New York Times (2025) Trump promises to end new wind farms. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com (Accessed: 9 January 2025).
Environment & Energy Leader (2025) Trump doubles down on wind farm criticism. Available at: https://www.environmentalleader.com (Accessed: 9 January 2025).
BBC News (2025) Trump’s wind energy comments spark controversy. Available at: https://www.bbc.com (Accessed: 9 January 2025).
Offshore Wind (2025) Will Trump impose no new offshore wind turbines policy? Available at: https://www.offshorewind.biz (Accessed: 9 January 2025).
Reuters (2025) European wind stocks take beating after Trump comments. Available at: https://www.reuters.com (Accessed: 9 January 2025).
