Each wind farm has its own high‑voltage substation, located at a strategic point within the site. This substation is the beating heart of the wind farm. It serves as a switching and distribution hub where the electricity generated by the turbines is collected, monitored, regulated, and then transported to the electricity grid.

The number and location of substations within a wind farm depend on several factors, including available grid connection options, the size of the wind farm, and local environmental conditions. In some cases, each wind turbine may have its own substation, while in others, multiple substations may be installed across a single wind farm.

A measurement mast (often called a met mast) is a temporary mast installed during the development phase of a wind farm to collect on‑site wind data. It is equipped with instruments such as anemometers (to measure wind speed), wind vanes (to measure wind direction), and often sensors for temperature, air pressure, and humidity.

Purpose

• The measurement mast is used to:
• measure actual wind speeds and directions at different heights;
• make a reliable estimate of expected energy production;
• validate and refine wind resource models;
• reduce uncertainties for permitting, financing, and final project design.

Key characteristics

• Typically installed for 12 to 24 months to capture seasonal variations;
• Placed at a strategic location within or near the planned wind farm;
• Temporary and removed once the measurement campaign is complete.

Alternatives

In addition to measurement masts, remote sensing technologies such as LiDAR or SoDAR may also be used. These systems measure wind characteristics using lasers or sound waves and can complement or replace a met mast.

Full Load Hours are a measure of how intensively and efficiently an installation is used. Because a wind turbine does not operate at full capacity all the time, due to varying wind conditions, full load hours provide a useful way to understand its actual energy production.

They indicate how many hours a turbine would need to run at maximum capacity to generate the same amount of electricity it produces in reality over a year.

Example:
A wind turbine with a capacity of 2 MW that produces 4,000 MWh in one year has 2,000 full load hours.

Operations and Maintenance: is a commonly used abbreviation referring to the operation and maintenance of a wind farm.

Levelized Cost of Energy: It represents the average cost per unit of electricity generated over the lifetime of a project. LCOE is a key metric used to compare the cost‑effectiveness of different energy technologies.

CBOP (Civil Balance of Plant) refers to all civil and infrastructural works required to install and operate a wind turbine or wind farm, excluding the turbine itself and the electrical installations.

What does CBOP include?

• Wind turbine foundations (concrete works, reinforcement, excavation);
• Access roads and crane hardstands;
• Platforms around the turbines;
• Drainage works and site preparation;
• Any necessary adaptations to existing infrastructure (roads, verges, waterways);
• Site restoration after construction works have been completed.

Why is CBOP important?

CBOP ensures that:

• Heavy transport (such as blades and tower sections) can safely access the site;
• The impact on soil and surroundings remains controlled;
• The wind farm can be built, operated, and maintained safely.

CBOP within a wind energy project

In wind energy projects, a distinction is often made between:

• CBOP (Civil Balance of Plant): civil and construction works;
• EBOP (Electrical Balance of Plant): cables, substations, and grid connection;
• WTG (Wind Turbine Generator): the turbine itself.

In short

CBOP forms the physical foundation of a wind farm, everything built on and in the ground to make the installation and operation of wind turbines possible.

EBOP (Electrical Balance of Plant) refers to all electrical installations and infrastructure required to safely and efficiently transport the electricity generated by wind turbines to the public electricity grid, excluding the wind turbine itself.

What does EBOP include?

• Internal cabling connecting the wind turbines to each other (medium‑voltage cables);
• Transformers (located within or near the turbine);
• The wind farm’s substation or collector station;
• The connection to the public electricity grid;
• Switchgear and protection systems;
• Monitoring, control, and communication systems.

Why is EBOP important?

EBOP ensures that:

• The generated electricity is converted to the correct voltage;
• Power is transported safely and reliably;
• The wind farm complies with the grid requirements of the network operator;
• Electrical losses are minimised, helping to maximise energy yield and revenues.

EBOP within a wind energy project

As with CBOP, wind energy projects typically distinguish between:

• CBOP (Civil Balance of Plant): civil and construction works;
• EBOP (Electrical Balance of Plant): electrical infrastructure and grid connection;
• WTG (Wind Turbine Generator): the wind turbine itself.

In short

EBOP is the electrical nervous system of a wind farm. Without these installations, the electricity produced by wind turbines would not be able to reach the grid, and therefore the end user.

Floating offshore wind refers to wind turbines that are installed on floating platforms at sea, rather than being fixed to the seabed. These platforms are kept in position using mooring cables and anchors.

This technology makes it possible to harness wind energy in deeper waters, where traditional bottom‑fixed foundations are not feasible.

More info about floating wind? Check our wind farms in development: Buchan Offshore Wind & Pennavel.

The system of cables or chains and anchors that keeps the floating platform in position at sea.

An off‑site PPA provides access to 100% renewable energy without the need for any physical installations at your company site, while still offering the benefits of a fixed electricity price and a strong sustainability profile.

A virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) is a long-term financial agreement linked to a renewable energy project. The buyer does not receive the electricity directly from the project. Instead, the project sells its electricity into the market, while the vPPA provides a financial settlement and transfers guarantees of origin as evidence of renewable generation. 

Certificates that prove electricity comes from renewable sources. They are often traded alongside PPAs to demonstrate sustainability.