Click here to view a map which can be used to guestimate wind speeds in your area.

# Using the UK Wind database

The UK wind speed database works using a six character Ordnance Survey grid reference. To find this grid reference you can use the following conversion tool, from Streetmap:

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?GridConvert

You will need to edit the eight character LR value that's returned:

Eg. The BWEA office postcode is N1 0PW. Typing this into the above converter returns:

LR - TQ315835

# This value is made up of three values - two letters, and then two sets of three numbers - TQ 315 835 for the above example. Click here to see the Ordnance Survey guide to the National Grid.

The database uses a six digit grid reference, so you need to drop the third digit from each of the two numbers: this would make the above example TQ 31 83

# Click the link below to use the DTI Wind Speed Database:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/explained/wind/windspeed-database/page27326.html

Select a region and type in the six character grid reference as described above (with no spaces) and then hit the Find Wind Data button. This should return the wind speeds for the locatiopn you specified.

# The DTI also provide a desktop version of the database and ASCII data files which can be imported into a GIS system. Both of these can be downloaded here:

http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/explained/wind/windspeed-database/page27708.html

If you wish to pursue the investigation of a particular site further, then we recommend that you contact us with your requirements.