With Latvia's growing wind park pipeline, wind farm noise is an increasingly relevant topic — both for developers planning new projects and for residents living near proposed or existing turbines. Understanding how wind turbine noise is assessed helps all parties engage with the process constructively.
Low-frequency noise
Wind turbines produce sound across a range of frequencies, including low-frequency components. Low-frequency noise travels further and is less attenuated by structures, which is why it can be a particular concern for residents living at a distance from a wind farm. A thorough assessment considers the full frequency spectrum, not just the overall A-weighted level.
Seasonal variation
Wind turbine noise varies with wind speed and weather conditions, so the noise level at a given location changes over time and across seasons. This means that a single short-term measurement may not capture the full picture. Noise modelling is often used to predict propagation under a range of operating and meteorological scenarios.
How it's assessed
For proposed wind farms, noise modelling predicts the noise impact on surrounding residential areas before construction. For existing sites, measurements can verify compliance with applicable limits. In both cases, the assessment considers the contribution of multiple turbines and their combined effect on nearby receptors.
We provide wind turbine noise modelling and assessment throughout Latvia. If you are planning a wind project or have concerns about an existing one, contact us to discuss the appropriate approach.