Developing a successful wind project is a highly complex process. Orion Energy has the experience, personnel, and resources to meet the challenges of every phase of project development—from inception through construction and operation—while working closely with all of the stakeholders: the landowners, local communities, government agencies, interconnecting utilities, power purchasers, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and project owners.

Site Identification
Wind Resource Assessment
Site Design and Layout Optimization
Environmental Assessment
Permitting
Flexible Landowner Agreements
Interconnection & Transmission Agreements
Power Sales
Equipment Procurement
Project Financing
Construction Management
Operations and Maintenance and Performance Optimization

Site identification: Is this the right location for a wind project?
Orion Energy’s wind resource team has led efforts to identify suitable locations for over 1,500 megawatts of installed wind energy projects worldwide. Orion Energy evaluates every aspect of a potential site, including wind resource, transmission access, compatibility with current land use, the ability to permit the project, and construction viability.

Wind resource assessment: Is there enough wind?
Orion Energy undertakes careful wind measurement and wind resource studies to determine the expected power output and commercial viability of each potential site. We confirm our in-house energy predictions with those of independent industry experts when project financing is arranged.


Site design and layout optimization: Can the wind turbines be sited to take advantage of the wind?
In order to maximize each project’s wind energy output, Orion Energy uses wind resource data, extensive field expertise, and sophisticated terrain modeling software to determine the optimal location for each turbine.



Environmental assessment: Are the environmental impacts acceptable?
Orion Energy performs extensive environmental surveys before determining whether or not to proceed with the development of a specific site. We design the sites to minimize the environmental impacts, and we retain expert scientists and consultants to perform independent environmental studies.



Permitting: Can land use and environmental permits be secured?
Orion Energy works with local communities and with local, state and federal government agencies to obtain the required approvals for each project.


Flexible landowner agreements: How will land use agreements be arranged with the landowner?
Orion Energy works closely with landowners in order to understand each landowner’s unique circumstances and needs. Our wind energy projects provide an additional source of landowner revenue while preserving existing land use. We take pride in working closely with the landowner through all phases of a wind project.



Interconnection and transmission agreements: Can the electricity generated by this project be transmitted to the utility grid?
The electricity generated at a commercial wind project must be connected into the electrical power transmission grid. We perform the necessary electrical engineering studies to confirm that the grid can accept the additional electricity, and we conclude agreements with the grid owners that allow the project to connect and transmit power to the grid.



Power sales: Is there a power sales customer for the electricity generated on this site?
Identifying potential purchasers of a wind project’s electricity and concluding one or more power sales agreements is essential to a project’s success. Orion Energy’s principals are experts in this area, having negotiated over 1,200 megawatts of long-term, high-value electricity contracts in the United States and Europe.



Equipment procurement: What are the best kinds of wind turbines for this site?
As an independent wind energy company, Orion Energy is not affiliated with any single equipment manufacturer. This independence, combined with our experience working with all of the major wind turbine manufacturers, allows us to procure the most competitive, reliable, and technically suitable equipment for each project.



Project financing: How will construction financing for this project be arranged?
The ability to structure competitive construction financing is critical to completing a project. Orion Energy’s principals have financed projects in partnership with a select group of financial institutions and energy companies. Because of the success of these partnerships, Orion Energy has a strong base of relationships and expertise for readily securing financing for future projects.


Construction management: How will the project be built?
Orion Energy has the in-house expertise to oversee and manage project construction directly or as the project owner’s representative. Orion Energy’s construction team has supervised numerous projects around the globe and understands the need to work closely with all stakeholders in a wind project.


Operations and maintenance (“O&M”) and performance optimization: How will the project be operated and maintained?
Excellent performance in the operations and maintenance phase is essential to ensure the project achieves its technical and economic expectations. Orion Energy typically oversees the O&M services provided by the wind turbine manufacturer. A properly maintained and optimized plant will maximize returns over the life of the project.