Articles | Volume 11, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1251-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-1251-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Apr 2026
Research article |
| 17 Apr 2026
| 17 Apr 2026
Biases in preconstruction estimates of wind plant annual energy production
National Wind Technology Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Eric Simley
National Wind Technology Center, National Laboratory of the Rockies, Golden, CO 80401, USA
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Short summary
Estimating the energy production of a wind plant before construction is a historically difficult task. We build on prior research comparing the actual energy production of wind plants and their estimated energy production using owner-provided energy data. Similar to prior studies, we found an increasing bias of overestimating annual energy production. In general, estimates before construction are not conservative enough, suggesting room for improvements in the energy yield assessment process.
Estimating the energy production of a wind plant before construction is a historically difficult...
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