Zele

The wind farm, located within the municipality of Zele (Belgium), comprises two wind turbines and has been generating renewable electricity since 2017, supplying the equivalent annual consumption of just over 2,500 households.

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Technical data

Senvion MM100

2.0MW

capacity / turbine

150m

tip height

100m

hub height

2571

households

4.4k

tons of carbon emissions avoided / year

In pictures

Wind turbines operate for up to 95% of the time, but they do occasionally stop. This is usually for maintenance, to limit potential nuisance (such as noise, shadow flicker, or impacts on birds or bats), during work on the electricity grid, when there is no wind at all, or, unfortunately, during periods of negative electricity prices.
Shadow flicker is an effect of wind turbines that is limited and fully controllable. In Flanders for example, no residential property may experience more than 8 hours of shadow flicker per year, with a maximum of 30 minutes per day. For businesses, the limit is 30 hours per year.

Did you know… wind turbines know when it’s cloudy or sunny?
Wind turbines are equipped with light‑intensity sensors and smart control systems that allow them to detect when direct sunlight is present and whether shadow flicker could affect nearby homes.
- where the sun is positioned;
- how intense the sunlight is;
- exactly when shadow flicker could reach a dwelling.
When necessary, they automatically shut down to prevent exceeding the permitted limits.
Noise standards are determined at national level and therefore differ from country to country.

In Flanders, wind turbines must comply with strict maximum noise limits set out in the regulations. These limits vary depending on the time of day (day/evening/night) and the designated land‑use area.

In residential areas, the night‑time limit is 39 dB(A), while a maximum of 44 dB(A) is permitted during the day. Within 500 metres of industrial zones, the limits are 48 dB(A) during the day and 43 dB(A) at night.

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All frequently asked questions

Indicates how much energy a turbine actually produces compared to its maximum capacity. Offshore, this figure is often higher due to more consistent wind.
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.

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Do you have a question, comment, or report about this wind farm or wind energy in general? Feel free to reach out. We’re happy to assist.

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Zele

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