Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be hundreds of wind turbines popping up all over the countryside?
The UK Government is working towards a target of producing 20% of the EU's energy from renewable sources by 2020.
In Scotland, the ambitious target of achieving 50% of the country's electricity has been set and wind power is currently the most technologically and commercially advanced renewable energy technology in a position to help achieve this target.

There are numerous constraints that dictate whether a site may be suitable for wind farm developments, therefore wind turbines cannot just be put anywhere. Where a suitable site is identified, modern, more powerful turbines mean that few turbines are needed on a per site basis to achieve maximum generation for the site.

Are wind turbines noisy?
Modern turbines are quiet in operation and you can hold a conversation underneath one without raising your voice. The final design of the wind farm will ensure that strict guidelines relating to noise are complied with.

Do wind turbines harm birds or wildlife?
The RSPB stated in its 2004 leaflet 'Wind Farms and Bats' that 'In the UK, we have not so far witnessed any major adverse effects on birds associated with wind farms'. A report published in the journal 'Nature' confirmed that the greatest threat to birds in the UK is climate change. Carefully-sited turbines should pose no risk to birds or wildlife.

Does it take more energy to make a wind farm than it generates?
The average wind farm will pay back the energy it used in its manufacture within six to eight months of operation. A modern wind turbine is designed to operate for more than 20 years and at the end of its working life, the area can be restored at low environmental and financial costs.

Are wind turbines inefficient - is it true they only operate 30% of the time?
No, a modern wind turbine produces electricity 70-85% of the time, but it generates different outputs dependent on wind speed. Over the course of a year, it will generate about 30% of the theoretical maximum output.

What happens to the turbines at the end of their life?
RWE npower renewables will ensure that at the end of the wind farm's life, the wind turbine and associated equipment would be removed, leaving barely a trace of its previous existence.