Wind Turbines and Agriculture

Wind turbines provide an attractive opportunity to diversify agricultural revenue, providing stable, long-term income through lease payments.  Under a typical lease option arrangement, Broadview handles all aspects of development, planning application, construction and operation.  A typical wind farm uses 1% of the land while providing attractive lease payments.

Turbine Details

Turbines typically have a hub height of 70 metres and have a blade diameter of 65 metres, resulting in a tip height of 103 metres.  At its lowest point the tip of the blade will be at 38 metres.  The turbines sit on top of concrete foundations approximately 15 by 15 metres.  Following installation they are buried approximately one metre below ground level so that ploughing can continue right up to the turbine tower, which is approximately four metres in diameter.

Roads and Hardstand Areas

Roads of approximately five metres wide, along with a hardstanding area of approximately 30 by 15 metres, will be required.  Existing tracks and boundaries can often be used to minimise the land requirement.

Cables and Switchgear Housing

Cabling is typically buried more than one metre below ground level so as not to interfere with ploughing.  Finally, a small building to house the electrical works, of approximately six by six metres, will be required.

Construction

Construction of the wind farm typically takes six months with the majority of the activity taking place in the last few weeks when the turbines are delivered and erected.  In the months leading up to this, the tower foundations and roads will be constructed, and the electrical cabling installed.  A lay-down-area of approximately 3,000 square metres will be required, but only during a portion of the construction period.

Most importantly, the process can be planned in conjunction with the landowner so as to minimise disruption to agricultural activities.