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Farmers, quilombolas and indigenous people denounce social and environmental impacts caused by wind farms and demand laws that guarantee a fair energy transition.
Rural, quilombola and indigenous communities in the Northeast are stepping up their mobilization against the unregulated operation of wind farms in their territories. Although wind energy is considered a clean and renewable energy source, residents of the affected areas warn of the social, environmental and productive impacts.
The lack of specific federal legislation regulating the installation of wind turbines in traditional communities exacerbates conflicts. In addition, companies have been moving quickly, often without prior consultation or detailed studies on local effects.
Residents report that wind turbines were installed very close to homes, pasture areas and plantations.
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This results in constant noise, vibrations in the ground and changes in animal behavior. The noise from turbines interferes with families' sleep and emotional well-being, which compromises their mental and physical health.
Effects of wind power on agriculture and the daily lives of communities
Rural producers who depend on agriculture and livestock farming observe significant drops in productivity, directly linked to changes in the environment.
Another critical point involves lease agreements. Many landowners signed documents with symbolic amounts and without legal guidance.
As a result, feelings of injustice are growing. Community leaders have begun to demand not only compensation, but also immediate shutdown de wind turbines that operate against the interests of communities.
According to the website Brazil of Fact, published in March 23th, 2025, social organizations and farmers have been increasing this pressure since the beginning of 2024, when the first impacts began to be publicly reported.
Since then, entities have been documenting cases and organizing actions in various regions of the semi-arid northeast.
Lack of regulation encourages conflicts and harms rights
This legal vacuum allows companies to obtain quick approvals, even in regions that require more social and environmental care.
For this reason, entities such as Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens (MAB) and Semi-Arid Articulation (ASA) propose an energy transition with popular participation and legal guarantees.
The objective is not to slow down the growth of renewable energy, but to ensure that this progress does not reproduce historical inequalities.
Although wind energy does not emit pollutants during generation, the social impacts show that it is not socially neutral.
For the energy transition to work fairly, it is essential to respect the territories, cultures and autonomy of traditional peoples.
Energy transition needs to include traditional peoples
Climate justice experts reinforce that the advancement of wind power needs to occur alongside prior, free and informed consultations, as provided for in ILO Convention 169, ratified by Brazil.
Without this participatory process, the risks of litigation and conflicts increase. Therefore, regulation must serve as a tool for balance and social protection.
Researchers and organizations propose that licensing processes involve communities from the beginning, promoting shared governance.
Furthermore, they suggest the adoption of models of distributed generation, in which communities themselves operate clean energy systems, with technical support and public financing.
According to the website Brazil of Fact, the first public debates on regulation took place in congressional hearings between October and December 2024, but did not result in legislative progress until March 2025.
Paths towards a fair and sustainable model in Brazil
Based on these experiences, Brazil can lead a energy transition truly fair. However, this requires transparency, political will and a commitment to equity.
Regulation can ensure that communities have a voice in decision-making processes and prevent abuses. This way, projects can respect local ways of life and share their benefits.
In this way, the country will not only have turbines generating clean energy, but also populations that are respected and integrated into the construction of the future.
The Northeast rightly demands not only clean energy — but also dignity, social justice and participation.
