2020 has been an average good wind year in the UK: the annual wind index showed a 2,5% above-long-term-average value, and 7% higher than the annual average wind speed between 2017 – 2019.

The WES250 turbines in the UK have made the most of it during this period, though. Between January 2017 and December 2019 the turbines have reached an annual average PV-performance of 112% and an annual average Availability of 98%. The WES250 turbines in the UK were ready to go, practically any time of the year.

The term “availability” as used in the wind industry, is a measure of the potential for a wind turbine or wind farm to generate electrical power. If the turbine is “available” and grid-connected, and the wind and other conditions are within the turbine specification, then power will be generated.

The availability factor of a wind turbine is the amount of time that the turbine is able to produce electricity over a certain period, divided by the amount of the time in the period. The availability factor should not be confused with the capacity factor. The capacity factor for a given period can never exceed the availability factor for the same period. The difference arises when the turbine runs at less than full capacity, in which case the capacity factor is less than the availability factor.