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First ENERCON wind turbine with lower-emission steel tower installed at Diepholzer Bruch wind farm, Germany / ‘Green’ steel sections supplied through partnership with Salzgitter AG
ENERCON is reinforcing its commitment to environmental and climate protection by expanding its product portfolio to include a green steel option for all tower models featuring steel components. This initiative is made possible through partnerships with steel manufacturers that focus on lower-emission production processes and increased use of recycled steel.
The first ENERCON wind turbine featuring a lower-emission hybrid steel tower was recently installed at the Diepholzer Bruch wind farm in Germany. It is one of the first onshore wind turbines in Europe—and the first in Germany—to feature a tower made from lower-emission steel. The steel was produced in collaboration with Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH, a subsidiary of Salzgitter AG, which achieved a reduction of more than 70% in CO₂ emissions during production by using recycled materials, electric arc furnaces, and green electricity.
‘With the green steel option, we offer our customers the opportunity to act sustainably by reducing their carbon footprint and improving their environmental performance. Green steel is often made from recycled materials and is itself fully recyclable. This supports the circular economy and reduces the need for new raw materials,’ explains Maria Brand, Tower Product Manager at ENERCON. ‘There are no differences in strength, stability, or durability. Our quality standards for lower-emission steel towers are the same as for conventionally produced towers.’
‘We are proud to host the first wind turbine with a lower-emission steel tower in our wind farm,’ says Gerard Meindertsma, Managing Director at WestWind ENERGY. ‘As a company, we are committed to generating clean and affordable energy. Efficient and responsible use of resources is a key part of our business philosophy.’
‘Steel is becoming increasingly important in the construction of wind turbine towers. Taller towers with larger base diameters require efficient transport and installation concepts, which can be effectively implemented using our steel components and tower technologies,’ adds Stefan Frey, ENERCON’s Global Procurement Director for Towers. ‘Lower-emission steel production processes are therefore crucial to the sustainability of our products and support our goal of further reducing the environmental impact of our manufacturing.’
As a pioneer of wind energy technology and a committed supporter of the energy transition, we have specialised in developing, producing, selling and servicing onshore wind turbines. Pursuing our mission of ‘Energy for the world’, we have been championing sustainable energy generation from onshore wind since 1984. Thanks to our innovative wind turbine technology, high quality standards and many years of experience, we are one of the industry’s leading manufacturers anywhere in the world.
First ENERCON wind turbine with lower-emission steel tower installed at Diepholzer Bruch wind farm, Germany / ‘Green’ steel sections supplied through partnership with Salzgitter AG
Ambitious ramp-up at the Center of Excellence Mechatronic / State of Lower Saxony and Federal Government support investments in the lead plant with approximately € 3.7 million
Ambitious ramp-up at the Center of Excellence Mechatronic / State of Lower Saxony and Federal Government support investments in the lead plant with approximately € 3.7 million
Award of the Global Wind Energy Council GWEC honors ENERCON's commitment to clean, safe and system-compatible energy solutions.
