New Volkmarsdorf Wind Farm: Swisspower Renewables Inaugurates The Group's First Repowering Project
Berlin, Germany - The Swiss energy supplier Swisspower Renewables has inaugurated the Volkmarsdorf wind farm, the first repowering project of the Swisspower Renewables Group. From the start of construction in early 2023 until commissioning in July 2024, 15 old wind turbines were dismantled and replaced by six modern General Electric (GE) GE 5.5 wind turbines with a rotor diameter of 158 meters and a total height of 240 meters.
Particular attention was also paid to the reuse of the old turbines and their components as part of the repowering. Ten of the dismantled wind turbines were rebuilt at new locations in other European countries. The remaining turbine components were carefully dismantled and serve as spare parts for the operation of other turbines. The material from the old foundations was reused to build the new crane pads.
In addition to ecological sustainability, Swisspower Renewables is committed to close and reliable cooperation with the people in the project region. As part of the digital citizen participation scheme, interested citizens living close to the wind farm can participate in the wind farm and thus benefit directly from the proceeds. In addition, a share of the proceeds per kilowatt hour generated is distributed to the surrounding communities in accordance with Section 6 of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).
Swisspower Renewables also sees itself as a reliable partner for the region in the future. “We want to build on the positive experiences with the local community and operate the wind farm as a long-term, reliable partner in the region,” says Dr. Hans-Kaspar Scherrer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swisspower Renewables AG.
Source: IWR Online, 13 Sep 2024
