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Explore the way wind energy is generated, its benefits and impacts, and why we must make good decisions about using our natural resources.

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Wind Energry Calculator

The amount of electricity a wind farm generates depends on the number and size of turbines in a wind farm as well as a number of other factors such as the strength of the wind and the time the turbines are available for operation. These factors are reflected in a wind farm's average annual capacity factor. To find out how much electricity a wind farm will generate in a year, fill in the fields below and click "Generate!".

Operating and proposed wind farms in New Zealand have between 1 and 180 turbines.

megawatts

Wind turbines being installed in New Zealand wind farms typically range from 0.5 megawatts (500 kilowatts) to 3 megawatts.

%

New Zealand wind farms have an average annual capacity factor of 41%. Tararua Wind Farm in the Manawatu operates at around 46%.

Capacity factor is a measure of the amount of electricity actually generated relative to the amount that would have been produced if the generator had been running at its full output over the same period. It is not a measure of efficiency or time operating.

No form of electricity generation operates at 100%. The average capacity factor for all forms of New Zealand generation (including hydro, geothermal and thermal generation) is 54%.

How this calculator works

Electricity generated

Your wind farm has a total generating capacity of megawatts.

Each year it will generate about megawatt hours of electricity.

On average, this is the same amount of electricity used by about homes in a year (the average New Zealand home uses 8 megawatt hours of electricity each year).

Emissions avoided

By using wind instead of gas to generate this electricity, you have avoided emitting about tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) greenhouse gases.

This is about % of New Zealand's emissions from electricity generation in 2007.

If this electricity had been generated from coal, it would have resulted in the release of about tonnes of CO2e greenhouse gases.

This is about % of emissions from electricity generation in 2007.

New Zealand has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and so must take steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2008 to 2012 New Zealand is required to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to an annual average equal to or below its 1990 emissions level or to take responsibility for the excess emissions.

In New Zealand, electricity generation is one of the fastest growing sources of emissions. Between 1990 and 2006, greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation increased 138 percent. New Zealand has an abundant supply of renewable, low emission resources - wind, water and geothermal - that can be harnessed to reduce energy sector emissions.

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