WIND FAQs
Q: HOW EFFICIENT ARE WIND TURBINES?
A: The ultimate measure of an energy generator’s efficiency is its cost to society – the cost of generating each unit of electricity. Onshore wind is now the cheapest source of new generation in the UK (Source: Bloomberg NEF). It is now being developed subsidy-free and is helping bring down energy bills for everyone.
Other factors are how much of the wind energy a turbine is able to convert into electrical energy, and for how much time the turbine is generating.
The “capacity factor” of wind turbines is the average amount of time through the year that the turbine is generating in relation to its maximum power. Through technological improvements, this has grown significantly to a UK average of around 27% (similar to petrol and diesel car engines), but is higher in the windiest areas of the UK.
Wind turbines typically generate energy 85% of the time. Recent technological developments allow batteries to be charged and electricity to be exported during periods of lower turbine productivity when the wind is not blowing.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE WIND FARM’S LIFE?
A: The wind farm will be decommissioned and the site reinstated with a Decommissioning, Restoration and Aftercare Plan to be agreed with the planning authority.
Q: CAN TURBINES BE RECYCLED?
A: As older wind turbines are replaced by newer, more efficient models there is a healthy market for second-hand turbines which often find a home in community energy projects or in developing countries.
For turbines that cannot be reused, 85 to 90% of the turbine is recyclable. Most of the turbine is comprised of the steel used for the turbine towers and nacelle, and metals used in the generator components. The blades are made of composite material, which is harder to recycle and has been landfilled in the US in the past (it is non toxic). However technology is improving all the time with research into fully recyclable turbines, such as this one in France and from one of the leading turbine manufacturers, Vestas.
Q: ARE THERE ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO WIND FARMS?
A: Wind farms create job opportunities within local communities in transportation and engineering throughout construction and operation, as well as through the supply chain.
Q: WHAT ABOUT COMMUNITY BENEFITS?
Our wind farm projects in Scotland offer a community benefit fund package of £5,000 per MW, index-linked, per year, in line with Scottish Government guidance. This may include subsidised electricity costs for local residents and an education fund. We may also offer a community ownership opportunity too.
Q: WHY NOT PUT ALL TURBINES OFFSHORE?
A: Offshore wind presents much greater technological challenges than onshore wind and the electricity generated is consequently much more expensive per MW.
Q: WHAT IMPACT DO WIND FARMS HAVE ON BIRDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE?
A: Building a detailed ecological record of the site helps us to develop a turbine layout that reduces or avoids adverse effects on habitats, protects species and birds as much as possible.
Q: ARE TURBINES NOISY?
A: Wind turbines emit noise as the blades pass through the air, sometimes described as a regular ‘swish’. The volume of the noise will depend on many factors such as the speed of the blades, the distance to the turbines and the level of noise from other sources. A noise assessment will compare any noise from the turbines, including those already operating in the area, against appropriate limits to fully comply with regulations.
Q: DO WIND FARMS AFFECT HOUSE PRICES?
A: A 2016 research project commissioned by the Scottish Government found no consistent negative effects on house price trends for homes situated near a wind farm over a 25-year period.