What is a Meteorological Mast?

Home » Met Masts for Wind Farms Explained

A Comprehensive Guide to Met Masts and Wind Data Collection

Met masts, or meteorological masts, play a crucial role in the development of wind projects by collecting essential wind data needed to optimise energy production and turbine placement.

In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of met masts for wind farms, their installation process, and why accurate wind measurements are key before constructing a successful wind energy project.

1. What is a meteorological mast?

A meteorological mast (met mast) is a freestanding tower, typically constructed with aluminium or steel. It is used to attach a variety of instruments which are used to record weather related parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature and air pressure.

2. How tall is a met mast?

For wind farm related met masts, masts are typically at or close to the proposed hub height of the wind turbines.  At Bute Energy, we have installed masts between 80m and 120m tall so far.

3. How are met masts for wind farms powered?

They are powered with solar panels which are typically set up on the mast or near its base.

4. Do you need planning permission for a met mast?

Yes, any Met Mast which is above 30 meters in height, (or 25m in protected areas) requires a planning application to the relevant Local Planning Authority.

5. How are met masts installed?

The general method is to construct the mast sections in a horizontal position on the ground. A gin pole along with a winch is then used to tilt and raise the mast until it is vertical. The mast is held in place with steel guy wires which are anchored into the ground in three directions around the mast.

6. Why do you need to measure wind data before building a wind farm?

Wind data is used in a number of ways as you develop a wind farm:

  • To estimate how much energy the wind farm will produce
  • To inform the wind farm layout design and ensure there is appropriate spacing between the turbines allowing the energy generation to be optimised
  • To verify the onsite conditions and ensure a suitable turbine choice is installed and operated on the proposed site for the lifetime of the project.

7. Once met masts are erected, do they stay there forever?

No, these are temporary structures designed to stay in place as long as their planning permission allows. This can vary but will typically be between three and five years. No permanent materials such as concrete are used in the installation of the mast and so at the end of their lifetime, the mast will be decommissioned and removed from the site.

An example of this construction method of met masts for wind farms can be seen in the video below:

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