Onshore Wind Power

Wind power is currently enjoying spectacular growth around the world. EDF subsidiary EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN) is tasked with leading the Group’s ambitions in the area of renewable energy, especially wind power, its main focus for growth. Wind power currently accounts for 87% of the total installed capacity of our subsidiary in Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East.

How does a wind turbine work?

A wind turbine uses the wind’s mechanical energy, which it converts into electricity in a generator.

A wind turbine is comprised of:

• a mast or tower that can be from 45 to 115 metres tall depending on the turbine’s power rating
• a nacelle, installed at the top of the mast and housing the electricity generator, which is driven by a three-blade rotor.

A wind turbine starts working as soon as there is wind. It rotates when the wind speed sits between 15 and 90 km/h. Above that speed, the rotors are stopped for safety reasons.

The electricity generated is transported by an underground power cable to the EDF substation.

Inexhaustible and producing clean power with no greenhouse gas emissions, wind power technology has now reached maturity.