Onshore Wind

Power is blowing in the wind

Shaping onshore farms
In-depth studies
Acceptance consultation
Our onshore experts

Along with solar power, wind power answers the question of how we will structure the future of energy. Wind power has grown to become the most efficient renewable energy source during the past two decades. In addition to the number of wind turbines, the capacity of the individual units has grown enormously.

In Spain, RWE has an installed capacity for onshore wind of more than 450 MW.

Are you interested in leasing your land for an onshore wind farm?

How does an onshore wind farm take shape?​

With its team of around 200 experienced employees in Spain, RWE designs wind farm projects in partnership with elected officials, residents, local associations and administrative authorities. Leveraging the global experience and capabilities of the RWE Group across the entire value chain, RWE Renewables not only develops, but also constructs and operates wind farms.

From the launch of the project to the dismantling or renewal of the plant, we pay special attention to the quality of our work by involving you in the project very early on – here, without a doubt, coordination is the key to success. The development of a wind project is a long process (from four to eight years on average):

Flowchart illustrating project stages: feasibility study, project study, administrative process, construction, and operation timeline.

Repowering of a wind farm

Repowering is a key strategy at RWE to improve and modernise existing facilities, enhancing their efficiency and extending the utilisation period of wind resources at a site. This process involves replacing older turbines with advanced models, leading to fewer turbines for more electricity.

In Spain, wind energy stands as a leading source of renewable power, and repowering serves as an optimal solution to maintain the longevity of production facilities. As wind farms age, their components become outdated. Repowering enables the full utilisation of available resources on a site, thereby extending their operational lifespan.

Some advantages of repowering are:

  • Strengthening community and municipal acceptance.
    Renewing active wind farms preserves jobs and benefits for the local community where the wind farm is located.

  • Improving efficiency and extending lifespan.
    Replacing old models with state-of-the-art turbines improves efficiency and extends the lifespan of wind farms.

  • Advancing the circular economy.
    Recycling and reusing as many dismantled components as possible significantly boost the circular economy within the wind industry.

  • Accelerating the growth of renewable energies.
    Repowering helps meet the 2030 agenda at a lower cost.

Studies

Through in-depth studies, RWE defines the best project for your area. RWE works with specialist consultancy firms and independent associations in order to conduct the various studies necessary for compiling the documentation for the environmental authorisation applications.

  • The environmental study is based on both bibliographical studies (documentation on protected areas, regulations, data from associations) and field investigations (census of plant and animal species).

    This study is carried out over a complete biological cycle (one year). It establishes the potential impacts of the project on the environment, before proposing measures to avoid, reduce or compensate for these impacts. The final objective is to design the project with the least environmental impact. The study documents will be available for consultation during the public enquiry phase.

    Two workers in high-visibility vests and safety helmets are surveying a field filled with wildflowers.

  • This study ensures that the noise from wind turbines remains below the legal thresholds set by any regional and national regulation. It is based on the notion of sound emergence, which is the difference in noise between a wind turbine in operation and one that has stopped. The noise level is measured by taking into account the noise of nature, transport infrastructures and various activities.

    The regulations require the developer not to exceed a specific ambient noise level (including the operation of the wind turbines) depending on the closest infrastructures and region. Above this noise level, the noise from the wind turbines is restricted according to the time of day.

    When the park is built, a new measurement campaign is carried out to check that the park complies with the regulations. If, under certain conditions (wind speed, wind direction, time of day), the thresholds are exceeded, a noise control plan (stopping or slowing down the machine) will be put in place. This plan is included in the Environmental Authorisation application file. The study documents will be available for consultation during the public enquiry phase.

    A microphone on a tripod next to a spherical audio device in a grassy area, surrounded by metal circle and equipment cases.

  • The local wind resource is a determining factor in the design of the wind project: choice of model, number, location. This is why wind measuring devices are installed in the field. The data collected is then interpreted and correlated with long-term meteorological data, in order to assess the potential production of a wind farm as accurately as possible and to optimise the location.

    A measuring mast is installed for at least one year to collect local data. The met mast is usually around 90-metre-high and is equipped with several types of measuring instruments at different heights: wind vanes (wind direction) and anemometers (wind speed). Ultrasound microphones were also installed during certain periods of the year, in order to complete the data on the activity of bats at altitude.

    Two individuals discuss plans with wind turbines in foreground; a third person works at a laptop in the background.

  • The landscape study analyses the initial state in which the wind farm project is situated: presence or absence of historical monuments, emblematic sites, natural structure, relief, geology, hydrography, etc. 

    Silhouettes of two engineers observing wind turbines with digital graphs and data in the background at sunset.

Consultation ...

... to gain acceptance​

In the development of its projects, RWE is committed to a dialogue approach that meets the local community’s expectations. A transparent and clear communication is implemented at each step of the project. Special attention is paid to develop consistent projects with territories in question by involving relevant actors.

Our convictions​

  • A simple minimalist design featuring a solid deep blue background with no additional elements.

Form a trusting and close bond with the population by working transparently, with sincerity, a listening ear and a constant dialogue.

  • A solid dark blue square on a white background, symbolising simplicity and calmness.

Develop a co-construction dynamic around an attractive project that creates value and opportunities.

Public inquiry

Any wind farm project is subject to a public inquiry process:

  • The information of the project (including the environmental impact study) is published in different public gazettes once the permit application has been requested.

  • Once made public, for one month any person or organisation can present allegations or request some modifications in the project.​

  • All the responses will be submitted to the developer through the public administration with the aim to find an agreement.​

  • All the documents coming from the public inquiry process will be considered by the public administration for considering the project approval.

Our experts​

RWE has vast skills and experience within the team in Spain. Our teams of experts will accompany you throughout the project to guarantee its soundness.

  • A meeting room with wind turbine models, laptops, and charts displayed on a screen.

    The project manager leads the development of the wind farm. Developing the project until construction readiness and investment decision are taken, the project manager steers the entire project team and coordinates the overall project with all involved stakeholders. The project manager is also the first point of contact for the local community.

  • Two workers in safety gear discussing plans at a wind farm, with turbines visible in the background.

    The cartographer creates analyses (visual impact zones, shadow studies, etc.) and maps (location of the projects, constraints for wind farm development, etc.) for the managers of the project under development. The maps constitute an important visualisation and decision-making tool in the context of the development of wind projects.

  • Three individuals collaborate on a project with wind turbine models and a tablet on a table.

    The team of wind potential experts provides technical support for the wind projects developed by RWE Renewables Iberia, at whatever progress stage, for any issue related to the wind resource. The tasks entrusted to this team are varied, from measuring the wind on site to calculating the expected production capacity of the future farm, including the optimisation of the positions of the wind turbines and the selection of the turbine best suited to the wind conditions of the site.

  • A person crouches by a tripod-mounted camera, aiming at wildlife in a field of tall grasses.

    The acoustician heads the acoustic studies during the impact study phase:

    • Consultation and selection of the consultancy firm
    • Execution of the impact calculations
    • Critical analysis of the studies

    All this is in order for the acoustician to provide advice to the project manager and to make sure the quietest plant possible is designed.

  • Two construction workers in safety gear observe wind turbines under a golden sunset, discussing their work.

    The connection engineer conducts feasibility studies for the connection of new projects in Spain (costs, deadlines, internal configuration, etc.). They manage and optimise the electrical and telecommunications connection conditions for the projects with the power network operators, and telecommunications operators from the request for connection to commissioning and operation.

  • A woman in a black blazer discusses with a client at a wooden table, a laptop and scales of justice are visible.

    The legal department is in charge of securing the development activity. The legal department negotiates all contracts, from the wind data agreements to the turnkey sales contracts (wind turbine supply, maintenance, etc.), which also includes the co-development partnerships. It assists the project managers with any legal issues that may arise during the lifespan of a project, from the launch of the studies until its completion. The department thus monitors the regulatory developments relating to wind energy and its market, supports project managers in submitting authorisation application documentation and manages the dozens of companies carrying out wind projects.

  • A model house with wind turbines is displayed as two professionals shake hands in a bright, modern office.

    The consultation procedure is an indispensable part of a development project. To create the acceptability conditions for the project, the consultation manager works on customised information and co-construction schemes that involve the area stakeholders.

  • Two workers in yellow hard hats and red shirts stand outdoors, preparing to operate a drone near wind turbines.

    The main mission of the ecologist is to provide operational technical support for all environmental topics (habitats, fauna, flora, etc.) at various stages of the wind projects, both from a quality assurance perspective and a scientific perspective, by contributing to the development of precise arguments. The coordination with third-party consultancy firms (natural environments, landscape, assemblers) is also very important in the definition of the technical service specifications (methodology, prospecting pressure, schedule of on-site visits, etc.) based on the challenges and expectations of wind power administrative authorities.

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In our press portal you will find all current press releases

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Onshore wind at rwe.com
The energy source at a glance