windfarm

A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in a defined geographic area that generate electricity from wind power and feed it into an electrical grid. They can be located onshore or offshore. Turbines typically range from about 1 to 4.5 megawatts onshore, with newer models of higher capacity, while offshore turbines are larger and commonly in the 8 to 14 MW class. The total installed capacity can run from a few to several thousand megawatts, with layouts designed to optimize wind capture while balancing land use, wildlife, and grid connection considerations.

A wind farm includes turbines, foundations, an electrical collection system, substations, transformers, and transmission lines. Each turbine converts wind energy into electricity, sending it to a local collector network that connects to a substation and steps up voltage for transmission. Layouts are guided by wind resource data, terrain, accessibility, and constraints such as wildlife habitats, noise, and visual impact. Environmental impact assessments are typically required prior to development.

Development and operation involve planning, permitting, financing, construction, and ongoing maintenance. Typical lifespans are 20 to 25 years, after which sites may be decommissioned or repowered. Maintenance includes turbine servicing and substation work; offshore projects add cable installation and marine access considerations.

Economically, wind farms provide low operating costs and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by substituting for fossil fuels. Capacity factors vary by location, often around 25–40 percent onshore and higher offshore. Land use is typically shared with agriculture or other uses, and environmental concerns include wildlife impacts, noise, and visual effects, which are managed through planning and technology.