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 Landholders play a critical role in the development of a wind farm.
The foundation of all Pacific Hydro’s activities is a strong working relationship with local landholders to secure suitable sites for development.
When a site has passed our comprehensive initial ‘checklist’, Pacific Hydro undertakes the additional steps to develop the project. Measuring the wind resource, grid connection, planning, flora and fauna studies, construction requirements and purchase agreements with an energy retailer are the main steps. We also consider any historical or cultural heritage issues, and any resulting tourism opportunities.
To help you fully understand the role a landholder plays in the development of a wind project, we have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
FAQs
What do you look for in a good wind farm site?
Pacific Hydro only develops wind farms which are appropriately sited, well designed and locally supported.
A good site needs the following attributes:
- Strong and consistent winds;
- Proximity to the National Electricity Grid;
- Compatible land use such as cropping or grazing;
- Land area allowing the best possible spacing of windmills;
- Accessibility for construction vehicles and machinery; and
- Community and local council support.
As a landowner, hosting a wind project requires minimal time on your part once land agreements have been negotiated. Pacific Hydro manages the details, requirements and contracts for the entire project, leaving you free to focus on your primary land uses.
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How can I benefit from a wind farm on my property?
Wind energy provides a consistent, renewable and clean resource that provides a second income for landholders, complements existing land uses, and provides a steady, long-term source of revenue.
Wind does not suffer from the adverse effects of droughts, commodity price fluctuations, pest-related crop damage or other farming challenges.
Wind generators also operate all year round.
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How long does the development process take?
A typical wind farm takes 3 to 5 years to develop, from the installation of a wind monitoring mast to the project’s first electricity output. This long lead-time is important as Pacific Hydro does not cut corners ensuring that everybody will benefit from a proposed site.
We spend an entire year monitoring wind flow on proposed sites, using that time to also ensure that output from the wind farm will be optimised and that the interests of stakeholders, including landholders, neighbours and local communities, are considered in the process.
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How does a wind farm impact on the remainder of my land?
The footprint of a wind farm takes up between 1-2 per cent of a typical site. Pacific Hydro has a wealth of experience and knowledge, working with landholders to minimise impacts on the existing land uses, such as cropping or grazing.
Over a typical 25 year period, the total time it takes to construct and maintain a typical wind farm is 9-12 months, with any inconvenience experienced during that time well and truly outweighed by the long-term benefits.
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Are the windmills noisy?
A wind generator is made up of moving parts and therefore does make some noise – such as the hum of the generator and the whoosh of the blades passing the tower.
But, thanks to advances in technology, well designed, appropriately sited windmills are quiet enough to cause no disturbance to people living just a few hundred metres away. You are able to carry out a normal conversation while standing underneath a modern windmill.
The maximum noise level from a wind farm at any surrounding dwelling in Victoria is 40 decibels (about the same noise level as a library), or 5 decibels above a usual level of existing background noise, whichever is louder.
And that’s the worst case scenario. Depending on local weather conditions, the noise level will usually be much lower or non-existent.
People react differently to noise – the best way to learn more about noise levels is to visit Pacific Hydro’s Codrington Wind Farm and listen for yourself. Click here to visit Codrington Wind Farm Tours.
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What happens if I sell my property?
When you sign a wind farm agreement with Pacific Hydro, the agreement stays with the land, not the current owner. Therefore, if you sell the property, the obligations in the agreement pass onto the new owners.
Your only responsibility upon selling is to notify Pacific Hydro of the sale so we can establish contact with the property’s new owners and make sure they are informed about the project.
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How do you determine where the towers go?
The lay-out of the wind generators is determined by many variables, including the site’s wind regime, existing vegetation, habitat for indigenous fauna, cultural heritage sites, noise limits at nearby homes, visual impact, aviation requirements, distance to the existing powerlines, elevation, slope/soil stability and property boundaries.
The windmills also need to be approximately 5 rotor diameters apart to reduce the effect each tower has on the wind flow to the neighbouring towers. Our technicians consider various aspects of the wind flow over the site, including wind shear, turbulence, tunnel effect, hill effect, wind speed and direction as well as minimum, maximum and average wind speeds.
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Do I have a say on where the towers go?
Pacific Hydro consults with landowners about their preferred location of the towers. However, we must consider all of the variables listed above when designing the site, as well as landholder requirements.
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What makes Pacific Hydro different from other developers?
Unlike many other wind farm developers, Pacific Hydro is a specialist renewable energy company focused solely on developing wind and hydro projects.
Pacific Hydro sets the benchmark for responsible wind farm development. We have gained the trust of farmers and communities around Australia as a company that is honest, responsive, and considerate of local needs.
Our company is committed to keeping communities informed at every step of the development process. Our public information sessions, presentations to community groups and local media briefings helping Pacific Hydro develop both the Codrington and Challicum Hills wind farms in western Victoria without a single objection.
For more general information about wind energy view our FAQs
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