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Wind is produced as a result of giant convection currents in the Earth's atmosphere, which are driven by heat energy from the Sun.

This means that wind is a renewable energy resource providing kinetic energy - as long as the Sun exists, the wind will too.

Wind turbines use the wind to drive turbines directly.

They have huge blades mounted on a tall tower.

The blades are connected to a 'nacelle', or housing, which contains gears linked to a generator.

As the wind blows, it transfers some of its kinetic energy to the blades, which turn and drive the generator.

Several wind turbines may be grouped together to form a wind farm.

Advantages

• It is a renewable energy resource.
• There are no fuel costs.
• No harmful polluting gases are produced.

Disadvantages

• Wind farms are noisy and may spoil the view for people living near them.
• The amount of electricity generated depends on the strength of the wind.
• If there is no wind, there is no electricity.