Wind farm planning – how to create and advance a profitable project?

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Wind farm planning – how to create and advance a profitable project?

Planning a wind farm is a multi-phase process that begins well before construction decisions are made. A successful project requires careful site selection, technical and economical assessment, and stakeholder collaboration. Learn how to build a profitable wind energy project.

Wind farm planning – summary:

Wind farm planning is a long and multi-phase process.

The success of a wind farm project requires technical, economic, and social suitability.

The capacity of the electricity grid limits the implementation of some projects.

Many wind farm projects are planned in Finland, but only a portion proceed to implementation.

Wind farm planning in practice

Wind farm planning is a process that determines whether a specific area is suitable for wind energy production. It includes identifying, assessing, and preparing the site to ensure the construction of wind turbines is technically, economically, and socially sustainable.

A wind farm is a large and long-term project, whose preparation can take years. Projects can consist of dozens of turbines and affect extensive areas. Planning a wind farm is not only about technical modelling; it is broadly connected to society as a whole.

Wind energy production only begins when the essential technical and permit conditions are met, and the long-term suitability for electricity production is confirmed.

Page published in June, 2025

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Wind farm planning: Preliminary study phase

A successful wind farm project always starts with a comprehensive assessment of whether the area is suitable for wind energy production.

These issues are being evaluated in the wind farm preliminary planning phase:

Wind conditions and topography
Proximity to and capacity of the electricity grid
Land use and ownership
Social and political context

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Wind conditions and topography

The production potential of a wind farm is primarily determined by the wind conditions of the area. Sufficient and consistent wind speed, unobstructed terrain, as well as considering elevation differences and turbulence are key factors. A good location maximizes energy production and improves the economic viability of the project.

Proximity to and capacity of the electricity grid

Produced electricity must reliably connect to the transmission grid. Thus, proximity to power lines, substations, and adequate transmission capacity are critical conditions. If connecting to the grid requires expensive new infrastructure, it can become a barrier to the project or weaken its profitability.

Land use and ownership

A wind farm project requires agreements with landowners. Adequate plot size, land rights, and smooth arrangement of lease agreements are necessary. Complex or contested ownership relationships can significantly slow down the progress of the project.

Social and political context

The municipality’s zoning authority and residents’ attitudes directly affect the project’s chances of advancing. Open dialogue, transparent communication, and addressing local concerns support social acceptance. Political direction and climate goals also influence decision-making.

Next phases in wind farm planning

If the preliminary study determines that the project meets the essential criteria, the project moves to subsequent planning phases. The implementation of a wind farm progresses step-by-step from preliminary studies to permit processes and finally to investment decisions.

Environmental Impact Assessment

If a project exceeds certain size thresholds or is located in an environmentally sensitive area, it undergoes an environmental impact assessment process. During this stage, effects on nature, landscape, cultural environment, noise, living conditions, and traffic are examined. Interaction with local residents and authorities is emphasized in this phase.

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Zoning

To implement the project, the area requires a detailed area plan or other sufficient zoning guidance that allows wind energy construction. Zoning is usually the municipality’s responsibility, and it includes public hearings. The zoning process can take several years and involves political decision-making.

Read the blog: the future of offshore wind power

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Permitting

Construction and operation require separate permits, such as building permits, potentially environmental permits, and exceptional permits if the project deviates from the valid plan. The ease of permitting varies by region and may involve appeals, which can delay the project.

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Implementation

Only when all necessary studies, plans, and permits are in place can the project be considered ready for implementation. At this stage, final investment and financing decisions are made, and implementation planning and structural design begin. Often, only at this stage does the project become publicly visible through construction announcements or site plans.

At Sweco, we ensure the smooth progression of wind energy projects from start to finish.

Wind farm planning – key uncertainties

Although wind energy projects have rapidly increased, there are some uncertainties related to their implementation. Identifying and managing these are key to the project’s viability and timeline.

Environmental impact assessment or zoning appeals

The environmental impact assessment (EIA) and zoning process provide residents and stakeholders an opportunity to participate in decision-making. However, appeals against these decisions can delay the project by several years. In some cases, lengthy appeal processes have led to the cancellation of projects altogether.

Changes in electricity market prices

The price of electricity and its future outlook directly affect the profitability and investment willingness of wind energy projects. Especially market-based projects without support systems are sensitive to fluctuations in electricity prices.

Wind energy project, wind farm, and wind power plant – what’s the difference?

Often, terms like wind energy project, wind farm, and wind power plant are used interchangeably in the context of wind energy, even though they refer to slightly different things.

A wind energy project can mean a wind farm or something else: it can also be, for example, a single turbine, an offshore wind project, or a technology pilot. Its scope and nature vary according to its purpose. A wind energy project can still be entirely on paper or already well into the implementation phase. It is not a physical entity but often a multi-phase project as a whole.

A wind farm refers to the actual constructed entity: a group of wind power plants placed close to each other and operating through a common electricity grid connection. A wind farm can be built on land or at sea, and its size varies from a few turbines to several dozen. It is the visible end result of a wind energy project: what concretely materializes when the project is completed.

A wind power plant refers to an individual electricity production unit, i.e., one wind turbine. It includes the tower, rotor, generator, and other technology that converts wind kinetic energy into electricity. A wind farm consists of several wind power plants, but sometimes a single turbine can be its own independent project, particularly for smaller operators or research institutes.

Planned wind power plants in Finland

Currently, many wind energy projects are in various stages of planning in Finland, from early preliminary studies onward.

At the beginning of 2025, the planned capacity for onshore wind energy was already over 61,600 megawatts (MW) and offshore wind energy over 46,100 MW. This means a potential increase of more than 107,700 MW in Finland’s wind energy capacity, which would multiply the current production several times. However, not all planned wind power plants are likely to proceed to implementation.

Planned wind power plants in Finland provide significant opportunities not only for increasing energy production but also for regional development, employment, and achieving emission targets.

Wind farm planning with sweco

Planning a wind farm is a complex process that requires technical, environmental, and social expertise. Sweco supports its clients in all phases of planning – explore our wind energy services.

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