Planning for a wind farm
There are already 18 on shore wind farms in Wales. Wales is a good place to put wind farms for a number of reasons.
The prevailing wind across Europe is from the West and Wales has a good supply of strong winds which have not been stirred up by blowing over buildings or a long way across land.
Wind farms are best sited where there is a high average wind speed and where the wind is not turbulent.
However cities are not good places for wind turbines because the wind is too turbulent. Electricity is wasted if it is produced a long way from where it will be used. Turbines in Wales are close to large populations in South east Wales, as well as the West Midlands and Merseyside.
Compared to many other countries Welsh wind farms receive little financial subsidy, so it is vital that they are carefully sited so they generate as much electricity as possible.
This means in Wales turbines are often on hillsides or open moor land, these are places of high visual impact.
The disadvantages of wind farms are that they change the appearance of the landscape, especially the unique upland areas of Wales. They can only produce electricity when the wind is blowing and there can be some disturbance to wildlife.
Some people think that placing turbines offshore is the solution. Offshore turbines have a good undisturbed supply of wind and do not interfere with the upland habitats of Wales. However they are more expensive to install and maintain.
