Wind turbines are perhaps the best known of all the renewable energy technologies in Northern Ireland. There are now in excess of 150 small-scale wind turbines installed in Northern Ireland. This growth is largely due Northern Ireland being widely recognised as having the second best wind resource in Europe; second only to Scotland. Wind energy is therefore capable of making a significant contribution to the UK’s ambitious renewable energy targets.

Wind speed and direction will determine the most suitable position for a wind turbine. Wind speed increases with height, so turbines will give a greater output if placed at a higher level. Turbines are best placed away from buildings and trees.

Contact a registered installer to conduct a site survey and assess the suitability of a given location. It is recommended that you contact more than one installer.

Below are a few examples of what you could expect a wind turbine to produce and how that turns into financial savings for you. These examples are based on average wind speeds and are only a guideline to what each turbine will produce on average. Depending on the wind speed in your location these figures will vary. The higher the average wind speed, the more the turbine will produce.

The aim of installing a wind turbine is to provide your home with electricity generated from a natural resource, minimise the number of units you import from the electricity grid and reduce your electricity bill. Before installing a wind turbine, it is important to assess your homes energy use from your electricity bills, preferably over the course of a year. This will help decide which type of turbine would best suit your energy needs.

The average home in Northern Ireland uses between 4,000 and 7,000 units of electricity each year. With the current cost of one unit of electricity at 12.8pence, the average domestic bill is in the region of £500 - £900 per annum.

Wind turbines are graded by the maximum output of electricity they produce. The smallest free-standing turbine currently on the market is a 2.5kW turbine. It is likely that a 2.5kW turbine will produce the number of units a typical house will use annually. If you have any unusual electricity loads in your household you may choose to install a larger turbine, for example 5kW. If your property uses less than 5,000 units of electricity per annum, a well positioned 2.5kW turbine should reduce your household electricity bill considerably. It is advised that you speak to a registered installer to help decide which turbine best suits your energy requirements.