A wind-driven electric plant includes a mast with a windwheel and a generator in a nacelle and a shielding chamber with a base, walls, and a cover. The mast is coupled to the nacelle and mounted in the shielding chamber. The mast may comprise a set of sections pivotally connected to each other such that the mast has the capability of folding and spreading, or the mast may comprise a set of telescoping or folding and spreading sections. A mast transfer mechanism is configured to move the mast between an operating position with the windwheel outside the chamber and a stored position with the windwheel inside the chamber.