Wind farm: from conception to reality – an overview

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In the first of a special Renewable Energy Focus series looking at the key stages and processes involved in taking a wind project from A to Z, Gail Rajgor gives some rules of thumb that are vital from the offset, and takes a closer look at the all important issue of choosing the right site for your wind farm.

So you want to build a wind farm. Good for you. With the global drive towards a low carbon economy, it is surely the right way to go for many individuals, companies and, indeed, Governments around the world. As information from the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) points out, “from large energy companies to individuals looking to supplement their own energy needs, there’s a great future in wind energy.”

But while wind energy can make good economic sense for many, planning and developing a wind farm is, CanWEA adds, “a big ask”.

It’s not for the faint-hearted, nor for those in any particular hurry. And in many cases it’s not necessarily the right option at all.

In fact, when it comes to developing a wind project from A to Z, there is a minefield of potential obstacles, risks to be factored in, and almost certainly some controversy to be faced. Get it right though and, in the words of the Canadian association, the rewards make it all worthwhile.