How strong does the wind have to blow for the wind turbines to work?
A. Wind turbines start operating at wind speeds of 3 to 4 metres per second (around 7 to 9 miles per hour) and reach maximum power output at around 15 metres per second (around 34 miles per hour). Wind turbines, on average, generate electricity for around three-quarters of the year. At very high wind speeds, i.e. gale force winds, (25 metres per second, 56 miles per hour) wind turbines shut down. The higher you go, the windier it is, and so even if you can only feel a gentle breeze at ground level, there is enough wind to power the turbine at the top of the tower.
Wind turbines start operating at wind speeds of 4 to 5 metres per second (around 10 miles an hour) and reach maximum power output at around 15 metres/second (around 33 miles per hour). At very high wind speeds, i.e. gale force winds, (25 metres/second, 50+ miles/hour) wind turbines shut down. For more information, see the BWEA factsheet on wind energy technology.
Wind energy is considered a “variable” source of electricity not “intermittent”. Wind turbines start operating at wind speeds of 3 to 4 metres per second (around 7-9 miles per hour) and reach maximum power output at around 15 metres per second (around 34 miles per hour). In gale force winds, (25 metres per second, 56 miles per hour) wind turbines shut down. The higher you go, the windier it is, and so even if you can only feel a gentle breeze at ground level, there is usually enough wind to power the turbine at the top of the tower. Although other countries, notably Germany and Spain, generate far more of their electricity from the wind, the UK is Europe’s windiest country and wind turbines, on average, generate electricity for around 80% of the year.
