1. NC Sustainable Energy Conference
Coastal NC Windpower
NC Sustainable Energy Conference
April 15, 2009
Bob Leker
Renewables Program Manager
State Energy Office

2. North Carolina Wind Resources
Significant resources on the coastal and mountain regions.
Across the state, NC has over 1,844,000 acres of land suitable for harvesting utility-scale wind (excluding federal ocean waters), in class 3 – 4 (average annual wind speeds of mph at 50 meters above the surface of the earth.

3. Coastal North Carolina
Opportunities
Coastal NC has the land area and wind resource for vast wind farms.
The Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds hold the highest potential for wind energy in NC
Issues
Exclusion zones (sensitive habitat & military use zones)
Transmission Capacity

5. Offshore Wind Benefits
Better wind resources
Less turbulence – steadier wind
Higher wind = better energy production
Higher capacity factors – load matching
Less visual impacts than land-based.
Avoids land-based size limits
Shipping – Roadway limits
Erection – Crane limits
Larger machines are more economical.
Cape Wind had

6. NC Model Wind Ordinance
Developed by NC WWG for county use
Addresses setbacks, noise, shadow flicker, & decommissioning
Also notes suggested zoning districts for different size projects

7. Horns Rev – Condensation Vapor Trails