Because of the intermittency and variability of the wind, conventional power plants must be kept running at full capacity to meet the actual demand for electricity. To date, no power stations have been shut down as a result of wind energy and investment is not being put in to maintain existing power stations so there is a real risk that we will import more energy in future as a result of too much reliance on wind farms.
Most power stations cannot simply be turned on and off as the wind dies and rises. The quick ramping up and down of those that can be would actually increase their output of pollution and carbon dioxide (the primary "greenhouse" gas). When the wind is blowing just right for the turbines, the power they generate is usually a surplus and sold to other countries at an extremely discounted price, or the turbines are simply shut off.
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