New
New
Year 9

Windfarms: Decision making exercise

I can explain the human and physical requirements for wind farm sites and evaluate potential site locations.

New
New
Year 9

Windfarms: Decision making exercise

I can explain the human and physical requirements for wind farm sites and evaluate potential site locations.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Wind speeds are higher in offshore, high-altitude, flat areas as they are less sheltered.
  2. Wind farms should be located far from densely populated areas and close to the electricity grid.
  3. Many people campaign against wind farms due to the noise and visual impact.
  4. Geographers often use a cost benefit analysis to help make decisions.
  5. OS maps are a good source of information for potential sites.

Keywords

  • Wind turbine - a device that generates electricity from wind power

  • Wind farm - an area in the countryside where a group of wind turbines has been placed to generate electricity

  • Sheltered - a location that is protected from harsh conditions such as strong winds

  • Electricity grid - a network of wires, power stations and systems that deliver electricity from where it is produced to where it is used by consumers

Common misconception

Wind farms are best located as remotely as possible.

Wind farms should be located far from densely populated areas but close to the electricity grid. If they are too remote, the cost of connecting them to the grid will be high.


To help you plan your year 9 geography lesson on: Windfarms: Decision making exercise, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

When asking students for their opinion on a scale bar (found in learning cycle 1), simply run your finger along the scale and ask them to raise their hand when it aligns with their opinion. It is possible to then ask individual students to justify their decisions.
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Equipment

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the term to its definition.

Correct Answer:Renewable,Can be replaced naturally in a short time

Can be replaced naturally in a short time

Correct Answer:Non-renewable,Cannot be replaced quickly and will eventually run out

Cannot be replaced quickly and will eventually run out

Correct Answer:Natural resource,Materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment

Materials or substances that occur naturally in the environment

Q2.
Which of the following is an example of a renewable natural resource?

Coal
Oil
Correct answer: Solar energy
Natural gas

Q3.
Coal, oil, and gas are examples of fuels.

Correct Answer: fossil

Q4.
Which of these is not a non-renewable resource?

Correct answer: Wind energy
Coal
Oil
Natural gas

Q5.
Why can using non-renewable resources be a problem?

They’re all found in cold places
They never run out
They grow back after a few weeks
Correct answer: They can cause pollution and will run out one day

Q6.
Which statement is true about Earth's natural resources?

Correct answer: Some can be replaced quickly, others cannot
They are unlimited
Humans don’t use them much
They all last forever

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.

Correct Answer:Wind turbine,A device that generates electricity from wind

A device that generates electricity from wind

Correct Answer:Wind farm,Group of wind turbines in the same place

Group of wind turbines in the same place

Correct Answer:Sheltered,Protected from strong winds or harsh conditions

Protected from strong winds or harsh conditions

Correct Answer:Electricity grid,System that moves electricity to homes and buildings

System that moves electricity to homes and buildings

Q2.
Why are wind farms not placed in very sheltered areas?

Correct answer: There’s not enough wind
There’s too much sunlight
There are fewer roads
They are hard to build

Q3.
Which of these is a good location for a wind farm?

On a quiet street in a city
Deep inside a forest
Correct answer: On a windy hill near the electricity grid
In a sheltered valley

Q4.
What is a likely problem with building a wind farm in a very remote location?

Not enough grass
Correct answer: Expensive to connect to the grid
People live too close
The wind is too strong