Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. In the past this mechanical power has been used for many specific tasks, such as grinding grain or pumping water.

However, wind can also be used to drive a generator and convert this mechanical power into electricity. Simplistically, a wind turbine works in the opposite way to a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the turbine’s blades, which spins a shaft connected to a generator, which makes electricity.