WexWind Ltd.
SITE ASSESSMENT FOR SUITABILITY AND WIND SPEED

There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when assessing the suitability of a potential windfarm site.

It can be difficult for a landowner to know whether or not their site is suitable. For help and information about site visits contact us. These are some of the factors to be considered:

1. Wind speed :
Without taking on site measurements we can only estimate the wind speed on a site. However with years of experience visiting sites we can be reasonably sure whether a site has potential or not. In order to have a sufficient wind speed a site must be either very near to the coast or else elevated. The further inland a site is the higher it must be. If there are obstructions such as other mountains quite close to the site they will interfere with the flow of the wind. To be more sure of wind speed it will be necessary at a later stage to do a computer analysis of the site and take on site wind measurements.


2. Sensitivity of the site:
If the land is in a designated area it is very difficult to get it through the planning process. Some sites in NHAs (Natural Heritage Areas) have been given planning but it is necessary to show that the development will not have any adverse affect on the area. In general, SACs (Scientific Areas of Conservation) and SPAs (Special Protected Areas) are out of the question.
Several County Councils have designated areas of scenic beauty or scenic routes and sites in or near these will also find it very difficult to get planning.


3. How close are the nearest houses?
A distance of between 300 and 400 metres from the nearest house (depending on the number and size of turbines) is necessary. Obviously if there are a lot of houses all around a site it becomes difficult to keep far enough away.


4. Nearest grid connection point:
Although not an essential factor, the distance to the nearest substation can be influential. If the site is small it may not be able to carry enough turbines to finance going a long distance to the substation. A better option in this case may be to go with a single turbine and attempt to connect into an existing line in the vicinity.


There are many other minor details that a trained person will observe either in favour or against a development so it is wise to contact us about a site visit to assess your site.

If you contact us about a site we will assess the potential of the site with you and if the site has potential we will arrange a site visit with you free of charge.

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