Why do some wind turbines spin, while others next to them do not?

This is part of the normal operation of a wind farm. Continuous variations in wind direction, speed and intensity cause some turbines to spin while others nearby may be idle.

How reliable is wind energy?

Sophisticated monitoring and wind resource analysis allow wind developers to estimate with a high degree of certainty "when" and "how much" wind energy is available, so as to be reliably integrated into the electric grid. When the wind blows, wind farms are a reliable source of energy and also can displace fossil-fueled generation, such as oil and gas.

What happens when the wind doesn’t blow?

When the wind is calm, the turbine may be at rest. However, at the heights of utility-scale wind turbines — usually more than 200 feet above ground — on a site selected specifically for its good wind resources, it is not very often that they would be totally still.

Are there wind seasons?

Generally, yes, but they vary by region. In California, the peak wind season is summer; in the Midwest, it's fall and winter; in Texas, spring is peak. Each wind plant has specific daily and seasonal variations. Each wind site also has specific wind patterns, which are determined through wind studies conducted during early development of a project.

Do wind turbines operate in extreme temperatures/weather conditions?

Turbines sited in areas that experience extreme cold or heat are equipped with special Arctic or tropical equipment packages. In sustained winds of 56 mph or gusts of about 100 mph, turbines shut down automatically.

How often do turbines require maintenance?

It depends on various factors, but wind turbines generally require preventative maintenance checkups one to two times per year. We also have a state-of-the-art diagnostic center located at our corporate headquarters that monitors turbine operations 24/7 and can identify and address issues before they become operational problems. When an issue does occur, we work with the manufacturer to investigate the cause and replace the impacted equipment.

What does the computer system inside a wind turbine do?

The sophisticated computer system inside a turbine performs thorough self-diagnostic tests and troubleshoots errors before the startup command is given. If the computer detects any problems it cannot auto-correct, the turbine automatically shuts down. In addition, a system control and data acquisition (SCADA) control system allows a remote operator (using a data link from anywhere in the country) to set new operating parameters, stop and start and perform system checks, and ensure turbines are operating at peak performance.

Is wind energy just the latest energy fad?

Not at all. Today, new renewable energy sources are cheaper than the operating costs of older, inefficient coal and fossil generation units.¹ According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the cost of deploying wind energy has decreased more than 90% since the early 1980's and by nearly 70% in the past decade.²

Sources: 

1 2021 Environmental, Social and Governance Report, p. 28

2 American Clean Power Association 2023 Annual Report

Is a power purchase agreement required before construction begins?

Our projects generally secure long-term commitments for a wind farm's output from one or more buyers prior to construction.

What effect do wind turbines have on the transmission grid?

The energy from wind turbines can be reliably integrated into the transmission grid, so as to have no negative impact on the grid and provide customers with clean, renewable energy as a source of their electricity.

Safety

Are wind turbines safe?

Wind turbines are a safe and effective means of generating electricity. The first wind turbines came online in the U.S. in the 1980’s. People have been safely living and working around wind turbines for generations. In addition, wind turbines have several built-in safety features, and we also have a state-of-the-art diagnostic center located at our corporate headquarters that monitors turbine operations 24/7 and can identify and address issues before they become operational problems.

What effect can lightning have on turbine operations?

Modern turbines are equipped with an extensive lightning protection system that grounds (makes harmless) the equipment without affecting turbine operations.

Are wind turbines noisy?

When ground-level winds are high, the sound of the wind masks most of the turbine sound. The sound from the rotating blades may be audible depending on many variables, such as your distance from the turbine, weather conditions and time of day.

Does wind energy rely on government subsidies?

Yes, like all forms of energy production in the U.S. — whether fossil fuel or renewable — energy producers receive some level of support from federal and state governments to encourage investment. To learn more, view our Wind Energy - Government Subsidies Fact Sheet.

Economics

What is the impact of new wind plants on my electricity bill?

Our company is a wholesale provider of electricity. While we provide the electricity itself, your power bill — which you get from your local electric provider — contains a number of different items and costs, along with the electricity. That said, renewable energy is among the most cost-effective forms of energy generation available today, and adding more affordable, renewable energy to the regional grid reduces the need to build more expensive fossil-fuel-generated electricity.

How does wind energy work with farming and ranching?

Wind energy can complement farming and ranching operations, adding a new source of reliable income for their families. Learn more.

Community

What involvement should communities have in a wind energy project?

Building a strong partnership with the community is critical to the success of every one of our projects. With community dialogue a vital component of our strategy, we started speaking with residents early in the project development process to introduce the project and solicit early feedback on our proposal. Our goals are to:

• Establish a cooperative relationship with your community;
• Listen to you and your neighbors;
• Share information; and
• Ensure that our proposal fits the interests and priorities of the community.

We've also met with your elected and appointed officials, civic associations, environmental groups and other community organizations. We periodically share new information, as it becomes available, to provide project updates to the community.

Environment

Is an environmental review performed?

Yes. As part of our development process, we conduct thorough wildlife studies to ensure each site complies with all local, state and federal environmental regulations. The ultimate objectives of choosing a site are to make certain there is minimal impact to the environment and community and – only when this is ensured – identify areas with the best potential to generate energy from wind and access to available capacity on the electric grid. 

Will a wind project cause any pollution?

No. Wind turbines do not produce any greenhouse gas emissions, water emissions, or solid waste byproducts.

How much land does a typical wind project require?

Each wind turbine uses less than one acre of land, allowing landowners to continue farming and ranching around them. NextEra Energy Resources works with landowners when siting wind turbines and access roads to minimize impact to crops, grazing and other farming and ranching operations.

Is there construction traffic?

Yes. During construction there will be additional traffic in the area. Although the construction period is only a matter of months, it will require heavy equipment, including bulldozers, graders, trenching machines, concrete trucks, flatbed trucks and large cranes. Once the wind farm is operational, there is no need for additional construction traffic.

How long will it take to complete construction?

The timeline really depends on the size of the project. However, six to nine months is a typical timeframe to build most wind projects.

How much income is generated for a landowner?

A landowner can potentially earn more per acre for hosting a wind turbine than any crop or ranching activity. Income from a wind farm helps diversify a landowner’s operations. The regular payments landowners earn create guaranteed, long-term income that is not impacted by commodity prices or weather. Land agreement terms can vary widely, based on a number of factors. The prices are negotiated between the wind project and the landowner, so we do not disclose them to the public.

What does a land agreement cover?

Commercial terms and land rights agreements with landowners can vary widely from one project to another. The variations are based on several factors, such as available wind resources and the number of turbines on the property. Land contracts also generally cover additional items including locations and types of access roads, project decommissioning terms and the landowner and wind project manager’s responsibilities.

If I allow you to build turbines on my property, am I liable for accidents or injuries on my land?

No. Landowners are not liable for actions occurring on their property as a result of the equipment. Our contracts with landowners hold them harmless from liability resulting from hosting wind turbines and associated equipment on their property.

Do construction plans account for harvest/planting seasons?

No. However, if you are a farmer, you are compensated for loss of crops during construction. Determining when construction begins will depend more on when the easements and permitting are complete, as well as having the wind farm operational before peak wind seasons arrive, which will vary by region.

Can I enter into a land rights agreement for other things if I have a land rights agreement with you?

Our option and our easement are only for the wind turbines. Landowners can enter into other agreements that do not interfere with the wind turbine equipment or operation.

Can I still have hunting leases after I sign?

Landowners hosting wind turbines can still have hunting leases. A number of our wind projects are on hunting camp property.

Who pays the taxes if I have wind energy equipment on my land?

The wind project pays the taxes on our generation equipment and infrastructure.

If I am a current landowner and have questions, who can I contact?

Please call 1-855-552-9872, and we will respond to your questions.