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Twelve modern 5.56 megawatt machines replace 31 old turbines / One of the largest renewal projects in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Installation of the new wind turbines has begun as part of the Bertkow-Baben repowering project in Saxony-Anhalt. Repowering refers to the process of replacing old wind turbines with new, more efficient models in order to generate more energy and increase efficiency.
Germany's largest onshore green energy producer and wind farm operator Alterric as well as EnergieConsult Stendal and turbine manufacturer ENERCON jointly installed the first of a total of 12 new E-160 EP5 wind turbines at the end of June. These modern wind turbines will replace 31 of the existing turbines that have been in operation at the wind farm for 20 years.
"The Bertkow-Baben wind farm is currently one of the largest repowering projects in Saxony-Anhalt," says Alterric Managing Director Dr Frank May, "The modernisation will increase the wind farm's output from the current 79 megawatts to around 89 megawatts in the future – despite a reduction in the number of turbines." This corresponds to an increase in power output of 100,000 megawatt hours from the current annual 88,000 MWh to a good 188,000 MWh in future.
The new ENERCON E-160 EP5 turbines each have a rated output of 5.56 megawatts and will be installed on hybrid towers with a hub height of 166.6 metres. Two installation teams with two large cranes will ensure that the installation is completed by August 2024. At the same time, the commissioning measures will begin in July of this year so that the modernised wind farm can be fully connected to the grid and feeding green energy into the grid by autumn 2024.
Alterric and ENERCON are partners in the Bertkow-Baben repowering project. For all involved, the modernisation of the wind farm is an important building block in the expansion of onshore wind energy. "Established wind sites can be utilised much more efficiently with modern turbine technology. They also ensure that the location and added value are maintained in the region," says Paul Rauchstädt, Regional Manager East at Alterric. "The amount of green electricity generated is significantly increased."
Benjamin Seifert, Regional Head of the Central & Northern Europe region at ENERCON, adds: "Consistent repowering is a turbo for the energy transition. Land and infrastructure are available, wind energy is accepted in the vicinity of existing wind farms, so that accelerated realisation is possible. This potential must be utilised for the further implementation of the energy transition."
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 optimization 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 operations’, and ‘smart optimization’, 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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