The construction timeframe depends on the project size and the number of workers deployed on site. For a 500MW power plant, a 24-month timeframe is expected.

Neoen’s projects use premium quality wind turbines provided by leading manufacturers. This is selected through a competitive process for each project. All components come with long warranty periods – wind turbines are generally warrantied for 20 to 25 years.

A wind farm will typically operate for between 25 and 30 years.

Wind turbines are designed to convert wind into mechanical energy by rotating the turbine blades.

The mechanical energy is converted into electricity via a generator in the nacelle, which is sent directly to the grid.

The electricity generated by the turbine is proportional to the wind speed cubed. For example, a wind turbine in 8m/s wind will produce about 8 times as much electricity as a wind turbine in 4m/s wind.

This is why it’s important to place turbines in high and consistently windy areas to achieve the lowest cost power generation for consumers.

Wind turbines are generally 150 to 270m high (at the highest point). There’s approximately 500 to 1,000m between each turbine, but this varies between projects. Hub heights of turbines may vary between 90 to 160m.

Turbines continue to grow in size each year i.e. each new turbine model is larger than its predecessor. Often during permitting, higher hub and tip heights will be requested to accommodate the next generation of machines.

Economic: Larger turbines generate more and cheaper energy because they can access higher wind speeds at higher elevations. They also generate savings in civil and electrical costs (foundations, roads, cables, etc.).

Visual: Larger turbines are spaced further apart (up to 1000m) and have lower rotational speeds than smaller turbines.

Noise: Larger turbines don’t necessarily make more noise than smaller turbines, due to their slower speed and improvements in blade design.

All turbines in South Australia are subject to strict noise limits imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority. The noise impacts that are permitted are the same regardless of turbine sizing.

Environmental: Larger turbines require less concrete, roads and cables per unit of energy generated. This reduces carbon emissions, construction traffic, and vegetation clearance. Their blades are also above the flight paths of most birds, which greatly reduces the impact to avifauna.

We acknowledge that wind turbines do impact the landscape but will work with communities to ensure our wind farms have the least possible detrimental impact on visual amenity. Neoen encourage individuals and groups that have questions about visual impact and remedies to engage with us early.