Are wind turbines noisy?

People sometimes think that turbines are noisy and can be concerned that they may disturb their peace and quiet. However, turbine technology has been transformed over the last decade and well-sited turbines can be quiet enough to cause no disturbance to people living close by.

Enercon turbines use a totally different technology to other turbine manufactures. The blades are coupled directly onto the generator without need for a gear box for constant electricity generation. This eliminates mechanical or tonal noise produced by conventional turbines. Being variable speed, Enercon turbines rotate more slowly or more quickly depending on wind speed. Aerodynamic noise is low when the wind speed is low and increases with wind speed, blending into background noise levels which also rise or fall with changes in wind speed. The blade tips are also specially designed to reduce wind speed noise. In summary Enercon turbines eliminate mechanical noise and minimise aerodynamic noise by harmonising blade rotation and wind speed and through optimised blade design. Enercon turbines are designed and built in Germany, where there are over 3,800 Enercon turbines in operation, many of which are within residential areas. Currently only 7 out of the 1000+ turbines in the UK are manufactured by Enercon.

In addition to technological aspects, potential noise problems are minimised through careful site selection. We ensure that our sites are located at a distance from properties where any noise does not exceed recommended noise limits. Typically this means that turbines are not placed closer than 400m to residential properties, but this depends on background levels and may be sited closer. The Ecotech turbine in Swaffham, Norfolk, is 360m from residential houses and there have been no noise-related complaints since it was installed in 1999.

Using background noise surveys and computer modelling we are able to accurately calculate noise levels, in order to ensure that strict noise standards enforced by the Council are complied with. The best measure of the noise produced is to go and listen to one of our turbines such as Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire, or Swaffham in Norfolk.

Noise claims are often exaggerated by opponents of wind power. This is reflected in a Scottish Executive public opinion survey that showed that 12% of people near windfarms studied had concerns about noise prior to their development, while only 1% thought wind turbines noisy after installation.