Welsh renewable energy developer Wind2 is expanding its use of wind Lidar to collect site-specific resource data earlier in the development of new projects, particularly as increasing turbine hub heights make conventional measurement more challenging.
The family-owned developer has been using remote sensing for several years and previously operated a fleet of SoDAR systems. It purchased a ZX 300 Lidar in June 2025 and subsequently upgraded to the ZX 300e through ZX Lidars’ Turn Me On programme.
On a current measurement campaign, the ZX 300e is recording wind conditions at heights of up to 250 metres. The measurements cover the rotor-swept area of modern large-rotor turbines and provide wind shear and turbulence data.
Wind2 technical director Ian Curry said the approach allows the company to measure the shear profile directly rather than relying solely on modelling. “Good development decisions start with good resource data,” he said.
The company said early Lidar deployment can shorten the time between beginning a project assessment and obtaining site-specific wind measurements. This can help developers build a more detailed picture of the wind resource while projects are still at an early stage.
ZX Measurement Services is providing Wind2 with the Lidar equipment alongside deployment, field support and a portable power supply. The arrangement covers installation and continued operation of the measurement campaign.
Wind2 does not intend to replace meteorological masts across its portfolio. Measurement strategies are assessed individually, taking into account site conditions, wind resource assessment requirements and acceptance criteria from turbine manufacturers.
Carlos Sanchez, senior renewable energy design engineer at Wind2, said there was “not a single measurement solution for every project”, but that standalone Lidar can provide flexibility where project requirements and OEM acceptance allow.
The move reflects a wider change in wind resource assessment as turbines become taller and rotor diameters increase. Measurements at greater heights can reduce reliance on extrapolating conditions from lower mast-mounted sensors, although the suitability of standalone remote sensing remains dependent on project and financing requirements.
For Wind2, the emphasis is therefore on using Lidar alongside other measurement methods where appropriate, rather than adopting a single technology across every development.
