The height of wind turbines can vary considerably depending on the location and the specifications of individual projects. The average height of a wind turbine tower is between 60 and 170 metres, but it can range from a few dozen to 220 metres. The height of wind turbine is usually indicated by the height of the tower, which can be measured from ground level to the nacelle. It can also be the overall height with wings length. The wing length is measured from the central axis to the edge and, together with the tower height, gives the overall height of the wind farm, which can be up to 300 metres.

Wind turbine blades are mainly made from glass or carbon fibre composites and plastic or other materials mixture. This combination of raw materials ensures the blades' durability and longevity: they can last up to 25 years. Meanwhile, wind towers are typically made of metal structures. To ensure that the turbines stand firmly, they are equipped with an extra-large base made of concrete with metal reinforcements.

Currently, new wind parks are being built within 3.5-5 years. The lengthy process includes design, obtaining a building permit, environmental impact assessment, construction and plants testing.

When the wind blows, the blades of the wind turbine rotate around a rotor, which is connected to the main shaft. The shaft spins a generator and this is how electricity is produced. This way, the wind energy is converted into electricity and transmitted to the electricity distribution grid.

If we see a wind turbine that is not working, there could be several reasons - bad weather conditions, a fault, scheduled maintenance work or grid constraints. Also, wind farms may be limited by shading, birds or bats migration.

No. Normally, wind turbines generate electricity at wind speeds of around 5-25 m/s. When the wind gusts above 20 m/s, the power output of the turbines is limited by rotating the blades so that the whole structure can withstand higher winds or even a storm. When wind speeds exceed ~25 m/s, the plants are shut down for safety reasons.

No. The choice of a suitable location for a wind turbine or a wind park is based on natural conditions, the location of protected areas and residential areas, the possible impact on the environment, and the accessibility of the site and its connection to the electricity grid.

Wind turbine in operation do not emit any pollution: neither CO₂, nor greenhouse gases (GHGs), nor other pollutants (such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur oxide or particulates). It is calculated that by 2030, wind energy in Europe could save up to 270 million tonnes of GHGs - the equivalent of Spain's annual emissions.

No. According to public health experts who examine the environmental impact of wind turbines, the biggest impacts can be noise and shadowing. These aspects are strictly assessed and wind turbines are often further restricted in terms of operating hours and operating regimes to ensure that nearby residents do not feel any discomfort.

Wind turbines have the same impact on animals and birds as any other human economic activity. If we look at the scale of this activity impact, we can say that agricultural activities have a much greater negative impact on wildlife than operating wind turbines. It is also important to mention that at least one year before the construction of the turbines, Lithuania's Ornithological Society does monitoring of the birds, which reveals whether the chosen site is sensitive for birds and if there are any bird migration corridors. Once the wind turbines have been built, birds monitoring continues for another 3-5 years.

Yes. Onshore wind turbines at a distance of 300 metres emit an average sound of 35-45 decibels (dB), which is equivalent to the rustling of leaves or a whispering sound. Standing closer, for example at 30 metres, the sound can reach 90 dB - like a hairdryer. The further away a wind farm is, the less we hear it.

Yes. A properly functioning wind turbine poses no external threat, but unauthorised people may be restricted from accessing the turbines due to their security as real estate.

It is safe to stand next to a wind turbine, even in the winter, as long as you follow the safety rules.

Stovėti prie vėjo elektrinės net ir žiemos metu yra saugu, jei laikotės saugos taisyklių.

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) analyses many different criteria related to the location of the wind park: the location of the planned economic activity, the nearest residential environment, protected areas, the location of cultural assets, the potential impact on plants and wildlife, the surface of the land, the landscape etc. Also, the physical and technical characteristics of the planned wind turbines are examined, particularly relevant to the population of the nearest settlements, such as their size and capacity, possible noise and shadowing, as well as their potential impact on public health.

Yes. Currently, wind parks produce about 42% of the country's electricity, so if we increase the number of wind farms, we can expect to reach 100% production capacity. But the much bigger challenge is to increase electricity generation itself. Currently, Lithuania produces only a third of the country's electricity needs. In 2022, Lithuania's wind farms generated 1.51 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, 13.5% of Lithuania's final electricity consumption.

There are currently about 40 wind parks and hybrid parks under development in Lithuania. According to the LVEA data, the capacity of wind power plants is expected to increase to 2.6 GW once all the projects currently under development are completed.

Yes. In Lithuania, most developers are kind enough to offer long-term support contracts to communities in the neighbourhood of wind farms. With the money, communities can improve public infrastructure as they see fit - building benches, renovating cultural centres, etc. In addition, the 2022 Breakthrough Package foresees that renewable energy projects developers with new permits to generate electricity will also pay a community fee. The fee will be payable for the previous calendar year, based on the amount of electricity produced, at €0.0013 per kWh.

Yes. One of the cheapest and cleanest ways of generating electricity, wind energy is also a major contributor to lowering the cost of electricity for the end consumer. For example, the cost of electricity produced by conventional fuel-fired power plants is around €200 per megawatt-hour (MWh), while the cost of electricity produced by wind is around €50 per MWh. At night, when electricity consumption is at its lowest, the price of electricity can be as low as 0 cents. The more wind power we have, the more the price of electricity decreases.

The price of electricity can be influenced by many factors, including:

1. Supply/demand ratio. In every market, the price of electricity can vary according to the demand-supply relationship. Big supply and/or limited demand can increase the price of electricity.

2. Where electricity is sourced: Different countries or regions may have different costs of generating electricity. For example, if there are more renewable sources, such as wind or solar power, the cost of electricity may be lower.

3. Fuel prices: If fuels are used to generate electricity (e.g. coal, gas, oil), their prices fluctuate, which can affect the price of electricity.

4. Fee and regulation: Electricity markets may be regulated by public authorities or rules, which can also affect the price.

5. Seasonal and temporary price fluctuations: Prices can vary depending on the time of year, time of day and other periods, e.g. when the price can be higher during periods of high demand.

All of these factors can together or separately affect the price of electricity.

Nord Pool is one of the largest electricity energy markets in Europe, serving many countries including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The Nord Pool electricity price is determined by several factors:

1. Supply and demand:As in other markets, the price of electricity in Nord Pool is determined by the ratio between supply and demand. The higher the demand and/or the lower the supply, the higher the electricity price.

2. Electricity generation costs: Different electricity generation technologies have different costs. For example, the price can vary depending on whether expensive forms of generation, such as thermal power plants, nuclear power plants, gas-fired power plants, or cheaper forms of generation, such as hydroelectric, solar or wind power plants, dominate.

3. Fuel prices: If fuels (e.g. coal, gas, oil) are used to generate electricity, fuel prices can have an impact on the price of electricity.

4. International trade factors: Nord Pool is also involved with international trade in electricity energy, so the price of electricity may be influenced by the conditions of other countries' electricity markets.

These factors and many others can influence the Nord Pool electricity price, which is set daily on the market.

There are a number of differences between nuclear and wind power, including the following:

1. The nature of the energy source: nuclear power uses nuclear reactors that generate energy from nuclear reactions. Wind energy uses wind farms and wind turbines to capture wind energy and convert it into electricity.

2. Source instability: Nuclear power is more stable because nuclear reactors operate almost continuously and can generate a steady supply of energy. Wind power is weather-dependent and may not always be constant because wind is not constant, but can be balanced by other technologies such as hydrogen or batteries. Also, solar energy should be mentioned in the context of renewable energies, as wind and solar energy are complementary.

3. Environmental: Nuclear energy raises concerns about nuclear safety, reprocessing and waste management, and very high operating costs. Wind energy is considered one of the cleanest forms of energy, as it does not produce emissions or other sources of pollution, but can have an impact on the natural landscape. This is quite subjective, as some people find wind farms beautiful and others not so much.

4. Operating area: nuclear power plants need to be built in specific locations that are safe and compliant with nuclear safety requirements as well as the geopolitical situation. Wind farms can be built anywhere where the wind is strong enough and blows regularly.

5. Investment and economic aspect: Nuclear power plants can be very expensive to build and maintain, often at a high cost to keep running, let alone decommissioning and storing nuclear fuel for thousands of years. Wind turbines can also be expensive to build, but wind energy resources are free and unlimited, which can reduce long-term costs, and as for the end-of-life of wind turbines, today many of the components of wind turbines are recycled and reused in the new cycle, thus stimulating the next generation economy and the circular economy. 

These differences mean that the use of both energy sources has its advantages and disadvantages, and much depends on the specific situation, regional conditions and political as well as economic factors.

There are a few reasons why Europe has chosen the Green Deal path:

1. Environmental challenges: Europe faces major environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, air and water pollution as well as other environmental changes. Green Deal seeks to contribute in tackling these challenges and to reduce the negative impact of human activity on the environment.

2. Climate change commitments: The European Union has made commitments under the Paris Agreement to reduce climate change and is aiming to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Green Deal is one of the ways to achieve these goals.

3. Economic innovation and competitiveness: The development of sustainable development and green technologies can create new opportunities for business and stimulate economic growth and innovation. The European Union aims to be a leader in the sustainable economy sector and compete in the global market.

4. Public health and well-being: Green Deal also seeks to improve public health and well-being by reducing air and water pollution, promoting sustainable transport and lifestyles, as well as creating a healthier living environment.

These factors, together with other political, social and economic factors, are driving the European Union towards a Green Deal path for long-term sustainable development.