The shift to renewable energy is often framed as a win-win for the planet and society. From solar farms in Chile’s Atacama Desert to wind corridors across Patagonia and large-scale hydropower projects in Brazil, the promise of clean, sustainable power is shaping national strategies, financial markets, and public sentiment.
Yet, as the global energy transition accelerates, it is crucial to critically examine the disadvantages and limitations of renewable energy sources. From environmental costs and resource dependencies to geopolitical concerns and social resistance, renewables are not without complexity.
In this article, we explore the hidden challenges of renewable energy across five main pillars:
- Environmental and ecological impact
- Intermittency and storage challenges
- Supply chain and resource dependency
- Socioeconomic and geopolitical tensions
- Infrastructure and land-use constraints
1. Environmental and Ecological Impact
It may seem paradoxical, but renewable energy infrastructure can inflict significant environmental harm. Wind and solar are “clean” at the point of generation, yet the full life cycle tells a more nuanced story.
Wind turbines, for instance, have been criticized for bird and bat mortality rates. A 2023 study by the American Bird Conservancy estimated that up to 1.17 million birds die annually due to wind turbine collisions in the U.S. alone.
Similarly, large-scale solar installations require vast tracts of land, often in ecologically sensitive areas. In Latin America, projects like the Cauchari Solar Park in Argentina have raised concerns over land degradation and water consumption for panel cleaning in arid regions.
Hydropower—a traditional renewable mainstay—has been especially controversial. Projects such as Belo Monte in Brazil or Pascua-Lama’s water conflict legacy in Chile (see our article on Barrick Gold’s legacy) highlight issues of deforestation, aquatic ecosystem disruption, and displacement of Indigenous communities.
2. Intermittency and Reliability
Unlike fossil fuels, solar and wind energy are not available on demand. They are intermittent, meaning their output depends on weather conditions and time of day.
- Solar panels don’t generate power at night.
- Wind turbines are useless during calm days.
- Seasonal variations can disrupt output dramatically.
To overcome this, countries must invest in expensive energy storage systems—mainly lithium-ion batteries—or maintain backup fossil fuel plants to stabilize the grid.
The intermittency issue creates grid instability risks, especially in countries with underdeveloped transmission infrastructure. Even advanced economies like Germany and California have experienced blackouts triggered by over-dependence on variable renewables.
3. Resource Dependency and Supply Chains
Ironically, the push toward renewables increases reliance on non-renewable minerals such as:
- Lithium
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
These are essential for batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels. The extraction of such materials often comes with high environmental and human rights costs. For example:
- Cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo involves child labor and unsafe conditions.
- Lithium mining in South America’s “Lithium Triangle”—covering Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia—has led to water scarcity, Indigenous resistance, and environmental degradation (explore our in-depth article on South America’s lithium dilemma).
Moreover, China controls over 70% of the global supply chain for critical minerals, creating strategic vulnerabilities for energy independence.
4. Social Resistance and Geopolitical Risk
The deployment of renewable infrastructure is not always welcome—especially in Indigenous and rural communities. Wind and solar farms often lead to land disputes, cultural erosion, and forced displacements.
In Oaxaca, Mexico, resistance to wind projects has escalated into legal battles and violent protests. In Chile, community opposition to solar projects in the Atacama region stems from concerns over ancestral land rights and water access.
Furthermore, as global demand for renewable technologies intensifies, geopolitical competition over lithium, cobalt, and REEs could spark tensions akin to the oil wars of the 20th century.
5. Infrastructure, Land Use, and Scalability
To replace fossil fuels at scale, renewables need massive infrastructure—far more than what’s currently built. Unlike oil or gas, renewables are energy-dilute, meaning they require more land and transmission lines per unit of energy.
For example:
- A typical fossil fuel plant may need 1–2 hectares per MW.
- Solar PV can require up to 10 hectares/MW.
- Wind farms may need over 50 hectares/MW due to spacing between turbines.
This spatial requirement leads to land-use conflicts with agriculture, biodiversity corridors, and urban expansion—especially in densely populated regions.
Building new transmission lines and storage systems is also capital-intensive and politically slow, often delayed by red tape, permitting issues, and public opposition.
The Balance: Toward Smarter, Cleaner Energy
While this article outlines the downsides of renewable energy, it is not a call to return to fossil fuels. Rather, it’s a reminder that the energy transition must be balanced, equitable, and scientifically rigorous.
Hybrid models that combine renewables, hydrogen, nuclear, and carbon capture could offer more stable and sustainable outcomes. Moreover, community-led planning and transparent mining practices can mitigate some of the social and environmental costs.
To understand how energy giants are responding to these dilemmas, read our analysis of Greenko’s partnership with Rio Tinto in India and the emerging use of pumped hydro for firming intermittent power.
Final Thoughts
Renewables are essential to humanity’s future, but they are not a silver bullet. Recognizing and addressing their limitations is key to designing resilient energy systems that protect both people and the planet.
At Minener, we aim to expose both the potential and the pitfalls of the global energy shift. Stay tuned as we explore how technology, policy, and economics intersect to shape our energy destiny.