Acoustic and Visual Impacts of a 0.25 MW WTG at Huasai, Nakhon Si Thammarat in Southern Thailand

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to investigate the acoustic and visual impacts on local residents of an existing 0.25 MWwind turbine generator (WTG) located in Huasai district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. Sound pressure level (SPL) wasmeasured at various locations within 300 m around the WTG. A survey on general attitude towards the WTG of the residents livingwithin a 2 km vicinity was also carried out among 351 respondents using a questionnaire. The results showed that while the ambientbackground noise was 38-44 dB(A), the SPL produced within 300 m around the WTG, operating at the rotational speed of 26-29 rpm,was 50-55 dB(A). Inside the tower at the heights of 12 m, 24 m and 36 m above the ground and inside the nacelle, the SPLs were 73dB(A), 81 dB(A), 84 dB(A) and 91 dB(A), respectively, during the operation of the WTG and were 66 dB(A), 73 dB(A), 77 dB(A)and 78 dB(A), respectively, during the shutdown. The SPL produced as a result of the WTG was relatively low with respect to thatgenerated from the other nearby sources such as the diesel engines of the pumping machines used in the shrimp farm. Public attitudetowards the acoustic and visual impact of the WTG was not negative. Furthermore, some respondents believed that installation ofWTG farm should create jobs for the locals and the WTG farm could become a tourist attraction site.