Project development for wind energy

What is wind energy project development?

Wind energy project development is planning, designing, and constructing wind farms to generate electricity from wind power. This process typically involves several steps, including site selection, feasibility studies, environmental assessments, obtaining necessary permits and approvals, and securing finance.

Once the project is completed, it is typically operated and maintained by the developer or a separate company. Wind energy project development is a rapidly growing industry as wind power is a clean, renewable energy source that can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and combat climate change.

Project planning/development takes place during the project conception/development phase. It involves a thorough approach to project identification and selection, ongoing project design management and permitting to ensure the technical and commercial viability of the project.

Why is project planning/development important?

Project planning for wind farm development is important for several reasons:

• Feasibility: It helps to determine the feasibility of a proposed wind farm by assessing factors such as wind speeds, topography, and other environmental conditions at the proposed site and the potential costs and revenues associated with the project.

• Cost-effectiveness: Project planning can help minimise costs and maximise revenues by identifying the most appropriate turbine size and layout, as well as the project's best construction and operation strategies.

• Permitting and Approvals: It helps to identify and navigate the various regulatory and licensing requirements that must be met before construction can begin. This includes local, state, and federal regulations.

• Environmental Impact: Project planning allows for an assessment of the potential ecological impacts of the wind farm, such as impacts on birds and bats, and helps to identify measures to mitigate or avoid these impacts.

• Stakeholder engagement: It allows for engagement with local communities and other stakeholders, which helps to identify and address any concerns or issues that may arise during the development process.

• Financing: Project planning helps secure funding as it shows that the developer clearly understands the project and its potential risks and benefits, which can help attract investors and lenders.

Public tenders for development concessions require in-depth knowledge of the development process, risks, costs, and other related factors.

Project planning/development minimises risk for stakeholders by verifying an identified site’s development potential and economic viability. It confirms that the project can be realised with existing engineering techniques and assist with selecting and implementing appropriate methods to ensure your objectives are met.

TÜV SÜD helps to minimise the risk of your wind energy project

TÜV SÜD has a detailed understanding of the technical and commercial parameters of a wind farm development process, from project design and assessment to the ultimate requirements for constructing and operating economically viable projects. Our wind farm development process experts’ in-depth knowledge of all renewable project development activities has been gained from their extensive experience in renewable energy projects worldwide.

WHAT DOES A WIND PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS INVOLVE?

Market analysis
TÜV SÜD helps clients define projects under development and establish baseline development programmes and associated budgets, whether in support of a single defined technology or as part of a balanced portfolio. We provide:
o Survey management
o Cost modelling
o Policy and regulatory support
o Research and development support
o Development of best practices
o Economic impact assessment

Market entry strategy
We review existing development parameters for individual technologies as well as industry-wide development strategies. Our advice covers regulatory regimes for project permitting and licensing, existing and prospective financial support mechanisms, and typical development timescales and costs. We also support clients in assessing, constructing, connecting, operating, decommissioning, and repowering prospective projects.

Wind farm feasibility studies
TÜV SÜD’s multi-faceted approach to feasibility studies provides insight into potential environmental and permitting issues in the wind project development process, together with an outline view of potential technical and engineering solutions. Our individual and collective assessments help clients balance regulatory compliance with optimal commercial design for preliminary site design, site selection/optimisation, as well as ground investigations and analysis.

Project development support
We prepare a detailed overview of technical characteristics, regulatory constraints, and commercial viability. This covers project management in the development phase, pre-consent project/portfolio review or acquisition, and stakeholder engagement. As part of our wind project development process service, we draft and implement an overall management system for any project scale to ensure funds are invested wisely, and project milestones are reached on time.

Concession management
TÜV SÜD advises clients on bid strategy, prequalification, bid drafting and interview preparation/attendance. We can also manage the broader inputs for the wind project development process from the client’s team of advisors.

WHY CHOOSE TÜV SÜD?

TÜV SÜD is a leading international testing, inspection and certification organization that provides a wide range of wind energy project development services. Some reasons to choose TÜV SÜD for wind energy projects include:

• Expertise: TÜV SÜD has a team of experienced engineers and technicians who have in-depth knowledge of the wind energy industry and can provide expert advice and support throughout the project development process.
• Global presence: TÜV SÜD operates in more than 1,000 locations worldwide, which allows them to provide local support and expertise for wind energy projects in various regions.
• Comprehensive services: TÜV SÜD offers a wide range of services for wind energy project development, including site assessments, design review, testing and certification, and ongoing maintenance and inspection.
• Independent and impartial: TÜV SÜD is an independent and impartial organisation that can provide unbiased and objective assessments and certifications for wind energy projects.
• Reputation: TÜV SÜD is a well-respected and reputable organisation in the wind energy industry, which can provide added credibility and confidence for wind energy projects.