Written by: Phil Davis, Managing Director at Renewables First and specialist in hydropower, wind power and solar power system design.
Reviewed by the Renewables First engineering team for technical accuracy.
If you are exploring a wind turbine project, your first instinct may be to look for wind turbine installation companies near you. But installing the turbine is only one stage of a much longer development process.
Whether you are a landowner, business or community organisation, successful projects begin with understanding whether a site is suitable at all.
Wind resource, planning policy, environmental constraints and grid connection all influence how quickly a project can progress, so a realistic view of the full development timeline is the best place to start.
A typical wind turbine installation timeline
The physical installation of a wind turbine typically takes days to weeks, but the full development process, from feasibility to commissioning, often takes 2 years or more.
Every site is different, but a typical, single 1 MW-scale commercial wind turbine project may follow a timeline like the one below.
Treat these timescales as indicative, not fixed. Smaller projects may progress more quickly, while larger or more complex developments can require additional technical studies, environmental assessments or planning support.
The UK Government’s Onshore Wind Strategy targets a near-doubling of onshore wind capacity to 27 to 29 GW by 2030. Expanding deployment at that pace still depends on well-planned, carefully assessed projects that are appropriate for their location.
Why feasibility comes before installation
Before selecting a turbine or arranging construction, it is important to establish whether a project is technically, environmentally and commercially viable.
What a wind feasibility study covers
A wind feasibility study typically examines several factors, including:
- Expected wind speeds and long-term energy yield
- Terrain, nearby buildings and other obstructions
- Access for construction and turbine delivery
- Planning considerations, including local policy and site designations
- The availability of a suitable grid connection
Looking at these issues early helps identify potential risks before significant time or investment has been committed.
Turbine decisions carry more weight than they used to
Wind turbine technology has evolved quickly. The average rated capacity of turbines approved in the UK roughly doubled between 2010 and 2020, so decisions around turbine selection, siting and infrastructure now have a greater influence on long-term performance.
Commercial viability also depends on far more than choosing the largest available turbine.
While onshore wind remains one of the UK’s lowest-cost forms of electricity generation, each project’s performance depends on local site conditions, planning constraints and expected energy yield.
What can delay a wind turbine installation?
Delays are a normal part of many wind energy projects and rarely mean something has gone wrong. In most cases, they reflect the time needed to complete technical assessments and obtain the necessary approvals.
Some of the most common causes of delay include:
- Planning permission for wind turbines and supporting assessments
- Ecology, landscape or heritage surveys
- Site access and construction logistics
- Ground conditions identified during site investigations
- Turbine manufacturing and delivery lead times
- Weather during construction
- Grid connection requirements
Grid connection has become an increasingly important consideration for many UK projects. In some areas, securing a connection can take longer than other stages of development.
Recent reforms to Great Britain’s connections process aim to prioritise projects that are ready to proceed, but connection times will continue to vary depending on local network capacity and individual project requirements.
Building realistic timescales into a project from the outset makes it easier to plan investment decisions with confidence.
Choosing the right wind turbine installation company
Choosing an installation partner is about more than finding a business that is geographically close. Experience across the full project lifecycle shapes how smoothly a project runs.
It is worth understanding the difference between an installer and a full-lifecycle partner.
An installation-only contractor typically joins a project once planning permission is secured and the design is finalised, focusing on civil works, turbine erection and commissioning.
A consultant-led delivery partner is involved much earlier, assessing feasibility, managing planning applications and coordinating grid connection before construction is even scheduled.
For most landowners and businesses, that earlier involvement is where the biggest risks are identified and the biggest costs avoided. Problems found at the feasibility stage are far cheaper to resolve than problems found on site.
When evaluating a potential delivery partner, consider whether they can:
- Assess whether wind energy is suitable for your site before recommending installation
- Understand local planning and environmental requirements
- Coordinate specialist technical assessments where needed
- Manage construction, commissioning and project delivery
- Provide clear, evidence-based advice throughout the process
It is also worth remembering that not every site will be suitable for wind energy.
An experienced delivery partner should be prepared to explain why a project may not be viable, as well as identify opportunities where wind could play a genuine role in your long-term energy generation.
Plan the project, not just the installation
Choosing an experienced wind turbine installation company matters, but it is the work done before construction that usually determines whether a project succeeds.
If your site looks promising, the practical next step is a feasibility assessment covering wind resource, planning context and grid connection.
For a closer look at how specialist support works across the full development process, read our guide to what wind energy consultants do or contact the Renewables First team for more information.
Act Now – Contact Renewables First!
The 2024 National Planning Policy Framework is a significant shift in support of all forms of renewable energy projects. If you are interested more generally in renewable energy generation, Renewables First also provides whole-project capability in hydropower, windpower, solar PV, and heat pumps.
Phil Davis
Manging Director | Renewables First
About the Author
Phil has worked in the renewables sector since 2001 and founded Hydro Generation, which became Renewables First in 2009.
A qualified mechanical engineer (BEng, MSc Renewable Energy Systems), Phil is a recognised expert in hydropower, wind and solar PV across all project stages.
Are you considering a low carbon renewable energy project?
If you are interested more generally in renewable energy generation, Renewables First also provides whole-project capability in hydropower, windpower and heat pumps.
You can also visit our Net-zero page to learn more about how we work with companies to identify the energy generation potential of their site to reduce their carbon emissions.