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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 provider of integrated solutions for the connected Green Energy Ecosystem, ENERCON supports its customers in the realization of onshore wind energy projects. To fully unlock project potential, the company combines its high-performance, high-yield wind turbines with complementary solution components and services, enhancing customer benefits and the overall value of wind energy. The range of the solution portfolio, from which customers can select modules according to their requirements, extends from planning and installation to management and control, service and maintenance, and optimisation of system performance during the operational phase.
As a pioneer in renewable energy with over 40 years of experience and a deep understanding of the demands of a changing energy system, ENERCON’s scope has always extended beyond mere wind turbines. With the mission ‘Energy for the World’, the company has been committed to sustainable energy generation from onshore wind since 1984. Thanks to its innovative turbine technology, high quality standards, and an installed total capacity of more than 65 gigawatts, ENERCON is among the world’s leading renewable energy companies.
With extensive expertise in the area of ‘holistic project development’, ‘connected operation’, and ‘smart optimisation’, a dense service network, and a broad network of partners and service providers, ENERCON is a competent and reliable partner for its customers in all project phases. Headquartered in Aurich, Lower Saxony, the company employs around 13,000 people at administrative, sales, production, and service locations worldwide.
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