JH and Clive have missed the point of Wind Power I think. Wind isn't supposed to be a one-for-one replacement for other methods of generating power, nor is it expected that it will ever meet our total daily requirement for energy.
All methods of generating power have advantages and disadvantages. Not difficult to find disadvantages in burning fossil fuels! Even if you don't believe in climate change, fossil fuels come from abroad and supplies are running out, everywhere. God isn't making any new coal, oil or gas to replace what we're extracting. As demand exceeds supply prices will rise – probably sharply : if I last that long it will be interesting to see how much a litre of petrol costs in 2039.
In a world where cheap fossil fuels are disappearing it makes sense to add alternative methods to the mix. The advantages of wind are that it's free, clean, and ours – you don't have to compete with foreigners on the open market to buy it, or ship it half way round the world before it can be used!
Wind power's main disadvantage is that it can't follow demand. But within limits that doesn't matter much: when wind feeds power into the grid fossil burners work less hard and save fuel. On a still day, not much fuel is saved, but on a good day enough to allow some generators to shut down completely – at least until the wind drops. Overall it's a worthwhile saving, no more no less.
The need to make power generation more flexible shifts the balance of advantage in other generating technologies. A disadvantage of coal power stations is they are poor at stopping and starting. Gas turbines cost more to run but are highly responsive. It's no coincidence that the UK has stopped making electricity from coal in favour of gas. I don't think there's a single simple answer, rather power generation has to adapt to current and future conditions by using whatever combination of technologies provide the best answer. There are no sacred cows.
When I get Cold Fusion working in my garage, all energy problems are solved! Perhaps something else will come on stream and make wind power obsolete again. But in the meantime wind generated electricity is surely worth having, warts and all.
Dave
Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 27/12/2018 10:54:16