WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

SPONSORS OF DISTRIBUTED WIND9 Key stagesThere are 9 key stages to consideringgetting your project from inception to fruition.1 Wind Assessments – windassessments are often needed toget sound financial backing and to getthe warranties on power curve. Thetime taken to do these has reduced toabout 5 weeks with a virtual study2 Planning Consent – a well-preparedsubmission will minimise potential delays3 Grid Connection offer – this cantake 3 months and could still give aconnection date after the FIT deadlinehas passed as grid capacities varyacross the UK.4 FIT Pre-Accreditation – can beregistered if you have secured planningconsent and a grid connection for yoursite by the December 2013 deadline.5 Finances – sound financial backing isparamount and, if using a bank, thiscan take some months to approve.Sign the wind turbine contract and paythe booking fee. Turbines can takefrom 4 months to 18 months to bedelivered, which could affect the FITdeadline.Over the last 18 months ICE Renewableshas installed and now operates andmaintains 3.1MW of turbines and can offersupport on your wind turbine project.ICE Renewableswww.icerenewables.comClick to view more info6 Discharge planning conditions –this can take 3 months.7 Turbine build – this takes on average10 to 12 weeks for a medium windturbine. This includes turbineinstallation, electrical contractor, civilcontractors, turbine installations, DNOworks, turbine commissioning and issubject to key components beingavailable such as transformers andDNO response times.8 Commission your turbine – secureyour FIT Rate before April 2014 if youhaven’t got an approvedpre-accreditation.9 Making the most out of the FIT –make sure that you have goodwarranties, contracted operationalfigures, and an operation andmaintenance contract to ensure youhave well serviced, well looked afterturbines generating the contractedperformance figures.www.windenergynetwork.co.uk95