Wind Energy Basics
-
01What is a Wind Farm?
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same area that are interconnected with power collection system and a communications network. A substation is also located on site. At the substation, this electrical current is increased in voltage with a transformer for connection to the higher voltage transmission system.
-
02How do wind turbines work?
The blades of the turbine are connected to a generator housed in a box right behind the blades. The wind moves the blades and the generator turns it into electricity. The turbine is the device that converts energy from kinetic energy (energy produced by the wind moving the blades straight from the wind) into electricity.
-
03How much electricity does a wind turbine generate?
The amount of electricity a turbine can generate depends on the type of turbine and the wind conditions at any time. There are many different models of turbines that can generate different amounts of electricity.
Ireland’s largest wind farm is the Galway Wind Park in Connemara. The turbines there are 3 MW turbines. To use them as an example, when the wind is blowing steadily they can each generate 3 MW of electricity.
A megawatt (MW) is a unit of energy. A single megawatt is equivalent to around 1,000 kilowatts. Boiling a kettle, for example, takes around two kilowatts. -
04What are the main advantages of wind energy?
First, it is clean. The electricity produced by a wind turbine creates none of the carbon emissions that drive the climate emergency. While carbon is created through building, transporting and installing turbines, typically after 6-18 months the turbine has already saved more than was created from its production.
Second, it is efficient. When you burn coal, oil or gas to create electricity a huge amount of energy is lost in the process. Older coal plants, for example, would be 20 per cent efficient meaning most of the energy from the coal is actually lost but we still create carbon emissions from burning it. Newer gas plants are more efficient but, overall, Ireland’s fossil fuel generation has an efficiency rating of 54.7 per cent, meaning the rest of the energy is lost. Wind energy, on the other hand, is 100 per cent efficient at turning wind into electricity.
Third, wind energy is cheaper than fossil fuels. Wind drives down the price of power by pushing expensive fossil fuel generators off the system. Without it, we have to depend more on costly gas imports which increase our bills – that’s what we’ve been seeing so much of recently.
Lastly, wind energy is renewable and local, and it is a resource that we have plenty of here in Ireland. Right now, so much of the oil and gas that we burn to produce electricity is imported from other countries. The more we use wind to power our homes and businesses, the less we are reliant on importing expensive fossil fuels, and the closer we are to being 100% energy independent. -
05What are the main disadvantages of wind energy?
Wind does have a key disadvantage compared to fossil fuels. A gas, coal or oil generator can, assuming they have the fuel, be switched on at any time but a wind turbine only works if there is wind to turn the blades of the turbine. This means it is an ‘intermittent’ source of electricity.
This is why onshore wind energy, by itself, cannot replace fossil fuels. It needs to be part of a suite of renewable technologies like offshore wind, solar, hydropower, energy storage and green hydrogen. Used together, we can develop a 100 per cent renewable electricity system.
Wind farms in Ireland
-
01How much of Ireland’s electricity is produced by wind?
In 2020 wind energy provided 38 per cent of Ireland’s electricity. That’s the equivalent of powering all of Munster and Connacht.
-
02How much wind energy is currently on the grid in Ireland?
-
03How many wind farms are there in Ireland?
At present* there are just under 400 wind farms on the island of Ireland
*Figures correct as on 18/05/2020 -
04Do you have a list of all the wind farms in Ireland?
See our interactive map where you can view information about the wind farms operating across Ireland.
Our data comes from EirGrid (TSO) and ESBN (DSO), which provide up to date lists of both connected and contracted wind farms. -
05Can land underneath a wind turbine still be used for farming activity?
Yes, very little land is taken up by wind turbines.
Farmers across Ireland continue to rear livestock and grow crops on the land where the wind turbine is located. There would be some disruption to farming activity during the construction of the wind farm but once it is operational then farming can continue as normal.
In fact, some farms are powered by wind turbines like Michael Hoey’s Country Crest farm in north Dublin where they get more than half their power from wind energy! -
06How does a wind farm benefit the local area?
A wind farm can deliver substantial benefits to the community in which it is located.
Depending on the size of the wind farm, between 100 to 120 jobs can be created during the construction phase. A largescale wind farm would also provide several permanent jobs, between six and ten depending on size, in operations, maintenance and support.
There are many local benefits including:
• Rates paid by the wind farm to the Local Authority – local County Councils will support the provision of local services.
• Community Ownership
• Amenity and wildlife areas / walking and cycling trails
• Support for local schools, community groups and organisations through community benefit funds
• Some wind farms operate a ‘Near Neighbour’ policy scheme where households living close to wind farm would see reductions in their electricity bills or other direct payments or supports. -
07How much does a wind farm typically provide in community benefit?
While there is currently not a set, national, figure for the amount a wind farm should provide in community benefit funding WEI recommends that our members should contribute €1,000 per year for every MW of capacity in the wind farm.
This means that a 30 MW wind farm should be generating an annual sum of around €30,000 to the local community benefit fund.
Each year we publish our wind energy community benefit annual report. The last report found that Irish wind farms invested over €4 million in programmes that support local projects, clubs, schools, sports clubs and energy efficiency programmes.
Under the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) that’s now in place, the amount of money required from wind farms for community benefit funds has been increased to €2 MW/h. This means that every time the turbines generate electricity, some of the revenue goes to the community. -
08How can I find out more about installing wind turbines on my farm or land?
The best thing to do if you’re interested in leasing your land for windfarms is to first carry out some preliminary research of your own and then to directly contact local wind energy developers. The first thing to find out is whether your land is zoned for wind energy or not. To find out, we advise consulting with your local authority, by phone or by email. You can check your local authority website planning section for more info.
Next, find out what your average wind speed is for your area - this information should be available on the SEAI wind atlas map.
Meithal na Gaoithe is the wind farmers association representing independent wind farmers. -
09Is it true that the electricity system can only carry so much wind?
The electricity transmission system is operated by EirGrid and is based on using Alternating Current (AC) electricity at a frequency of 50 Hertz (Hz).
One of EirGrid’s main responsibilities is to ensure that the system works at a stable frequency.
Conventional, fossil fuel, generation like gas or coal produces AC electricity at a frequency compatible with the grid.
However, because wind energy, and other renewables like solar, is produced intermittently the frequency of the electricity it produces can fluctuate. This is called non-synchronous generation.
Because the frequency can fluctuate, EirGrid currently limits the amount of non-synchronous generation on the system to 75per cent of total energy demand. This number has risen in recent years from 50 per cent and EirGrid is committed to raising it again to 75 per cent by 2020.
This will allow more wind energy on the system.
For a fuller explanation on the restrictions on the amount of wind energy that can be on the system at any one time check out our blog.
Cost of Wind Energy
-
01Is wind energy cheaper than fossil fuels?
Once built, wind energy costs close to zero to produce, so it reduces the volume of demand left for fossil fuel generators which means the most expensive ones are pushed out of the auction.
Put more simply, if there is 1,000 MW of wind energy on the system this is not just displacing carbon-emitting fossil fuels, it is displacing the most expensive fossil fuels. This means the electricity supplier that sells power to homes and businesses across Ireland is getting its electricity more cheaply because of the volume of wind on the Irish system. -
02Does wind energy make electricity cheaper?
In 2020 the average price of electricity on the wholesale market was 25 per cent cheaper on the 50 windiest days compared to the 50 least windy days. Wind drives down the price of power by pushing expensive fossil fuel generators off the system. Without it, we would have to depend more on costly gas imports which would increase your bills.
Wind Energy and the Environment
-
01How do wind turbines impact the environment?
Electricity generated by a wind turbine does not produce any CO2 emissions.
Over the lifetime of the turbine, emissions are caused by its construction, transport, installation and decommissioning. The length of time for a wind turbine to save more CO2 than it generated in its development is known as the ‘carbon payback period’.
A detailed 2015 study found that the ‘carbon payback’ for an onshore wind farm ranges from six months to two years and for an offshore wind farm – which are more efficient at generating electricity – from 5 months to one year.
Before getting planning permission for a wind farm a developer must prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment Report. This explains what impact the project, if it went ahead, would have on the environment. If any negative impacts are identified the developer must explain how they are going to avoid or protect against these. Only if the planning authority is satisfied can permission be given for the project. -
02What are the CO2 savings from a wind farm?
The SEAI Energy in Ireland 2021 report confirmed that in 2020 wind energy provided 36.1 per cent of Ireland’s electricity. This was 86 per cent of all renewable electricity that year. Wind energy avoided 4.5 million tonnes of CO2 in 2020. To put this in context the total amount of CO2 emissions avoided by renewable energy was 6.6 million tonnes, so wind energy avoided more than all other renewables combined and doubled.
-
03What are the targets for wind energy in Ireland's Climate Action Plan?
Jobs in Wind Energy
-
01How can I find out about vacancies in the wind sector?
See our careers page and our LinkedIn page for the latest job openings in the renewable energy sector.
You may also reach out to our member companies directly. You’ll find their details in our Members Directory. -
02How do I find about more about upskilling to join the wind energy industry?
Whether you are starting your career or thinking about joining the renewable sector from another industry, there are many opportunities to access accredited training courses – many of which are subsidised. Wind Energy Ireland is a partner of Skillnet Ireland and together we facilitate high-quality training through Green Tech Skillnet. See the latest training opportunities here.
-
03Are there many jobs in the wind energy industry?
Research from KPMG has confirmed more than 5,000 people are working in the Irish onshore wind energy industry and this number is expected to rise to more than 7,000 by the end of the year. Thousands more jobs will be created this decade as we build our first new offshore wind farms.
-
04Does the wind industry support the Irish economy?
In 2019 and 2020 together wind energy cut our fossil fuel import bill by a combined €680 million. That is money that stays in Ireland, supporting Irish jobs and communities.
Getting Involved
-
01Can I organise a visit to a wind farm for a group of students or other young people?
There is a wind farm in County Offaly, called Mt Lucas which is operated by Bord na Móna. They have an interactive learning hub and regularly organise tours for interested parties. See their website for more information.
To find another wind farm, see our interactive map where you can view information about the wind farms operating across Ireland.
For other education-related queries, feel free to contact our education lead, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or check out more resources on our education page. -
02As an individual, what can I do to promote wind energy in Ireland?
If your home is currently supplied by non-renewable energy, investigate switching to a renewable energy provider. This will support current wind energy suppliers and encourages both the expansion of current wind enterprises and entry of new ones.
One of the most helpful things you can do is to advocate for wind energy in your community. Help win the debate on wind energy by writing to newspapers, participate in radio phone-in programmes and talk to your friends and family about the benefits of wind and other sources of renewable energy. Your contribution is extremely valuable and will help promote positive attitudes and perceptions about wind energy.
You can also advocate for stronger policy-backing of wind energy. The best way to change things in Ireland is to show Government, elected representatives and State agencies that an issue is important to a large number of people, and to put pressure on them until they act. While an increasing number of people are concerned about climate change and energy security, many do not make the connection between cutting our carbon emissions and the need to build wind farms or new grid infrastructure like underground cables. We cannot do one without the other. Many of our policymakers are still not hearing the message often enough that they must make climate change and renewable energy infrastructure a top priority. -
03As a business, what can I do to promote wind energy in Ireland?
There are many ways to positively support both wind energy as a renewable resource, and the Irish wind industry. One of the simplest ways is to become a member of the WEI and lend your support to the organisation. Your contribution will help the WEI push and promote the wind agenda in Ireland.
If your business is currently supplied by non-renewable energy, investigate switching to a renewable energy provider. This will support current wind energy suppliers and encourages both the expansion of current wind enterprises and entry of new ones.
