Against this backdrop, wind power has been identified as the most cost-effective technology to meet those targets. Bruton Knowles is experiencing at first hand the growing demand from wind energy companies for suitable sites for developing wind energy projects across the UK. The utilities team is currently working with a number of energy suppliers to identify suitable wind energy sites and negotiate rights over land, ranging from small one or two turbine sites right up to multi-turbine large scale wind farm developments. Many utility companies will have suitable land and sites which could be considered for development. There are some basic criteria and minimum requirements which need to be met before a site can be considered for development, such as:

• wind speed – a turbine will not be able to function in winds of less than 5m/s at 25m
• the site must have a suitable connection to the Electricity Grid
• ocation must be outside National Park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
• a minimum distance of 500-700m between a turbine and the nearest house
• the site must be accessible for heavy construction traffic.  

For large scale wind farms, projects typically need to be around 120 hectares in size to house 10 turbines; only 1% of this land will be taken out of direct use and the remainder can be used for arable crops or grazing. What may surprise many potential site providers is the number of companies now looking for land to house just one or two turbine projects. In these cases, the criteria for development is far less demanding. For example, a typical two turbine site may only require 4 hectares of land, together with an 11kv electricity line close by.   

Bill Simms at Bruton Knowles comments: “Wind farm development is bringing significant opportunities for landowners with suitable land and sites. Rental payments for wind farm turbines can represent a significant annual return over a typical 20-25 years term. Furthermore, criteria for development is perhaps not as onerous as people think and utility land managers should consider contacting us if they believe they have suitable sites. There are a number of rogue companies operating in the market place and it is important to match clients with reputable companies that deliver projects from cradle to grave” 

For more information contact Bill Simms on 01452 880188.