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Wind Power: A Research Primer

This article leaves unsaid a key point in the linked IEA brochure: the "capacity factor", or the amount actually produced by a wind generator as a fraction of its continuous operating power rating, is 20-40%. Wind is a highly variable power source, so the operator has to maintain alternate generators in "spinning reserve" to prevent sags in voltage or frequency when the wind velocity abates.

Wind generators can offset a part of the energy load over time, but they do not offset the fixed cost of base load and peaking power plants, which need to provide 100% of demand when the wind is calm. In addition, siting wind turbines in remote areas (where the wind speed may be more uniform and environmental objections less) implies the construction of new and lengthy transmission corridors. Even if the public would accept these "blights", the energy losses in transmission further reduce the economic benefits of wind generation.

I doubt that anyone would be investing in wind farms without tax incentives, and the idea that wind generation is more environmentally acceptable may be equally as fallacious as its economic benefit.