A laboratory test rig has been developed, in order to analyse the mutual interaction of the different components of a low power WEPS, in the presence of arbitrarily chosen wind intensity. The performances with moderate wind speed of a system composed by a horizontal axis, fixed-pitch wind turbine, a synchronous generator and a centrifugal electric pump have been investigated, both at the start and under steady-state conditions. A control strategy of the alternator field voltage, which facilitates the starting of the pump in the presence of modest wind intensity and maximises average water discharge under any wind condition, has been defined, implemented on an electronic board and tested.