Burgenland has started Austria’s largest wind farm in Neusiedl/Weiden with 23 turbines totalling about 122MW.
The facility will generate 251 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, said the state.
Governor Hans Peter Doskozil stated that the output can supply around 70,000 households and deliver a fixed electricity price of 10 cents per kilowatt-hour for 20 years through the Burgenland Energy Independent Fan Club.
He added that the wind farm marks the next major step towards Burgenland’s goal of achieving net energy independence by 2030 and serves as a flagship element of the “Project Tomorrow” initiative.
Infrastructure minister Peter Hanke explained that Austria depends on electricity imports during winter and said more wind generation is needed to support security of supply.
He added that the investment promotes domestic power production and secures regional economic value.
Burgenland Energie chief executive Stephan Sharma said: “At this site, we dismantled 44 old wind turbines, fully recycled them, and erected 23 new, improved ones. The number of turbines was halved, while electricity production was doubled. Austria’s largest wind project is a collaborative effort, made possible only through the cooperation of federal and state governments, mayors, NGOs, and local residents and businesses.”
Sharma added: “There are no more excuses: This major energy infrastructure project demonstrates that we can become independent of foreign energy sources, as Austria still imports 60 percent of its energy needs. From planning to construction, we needed only about three years, creating energy independence and security for the region for more than 20 years – that’s how long these new wind turbines will produce electricity for the region.”
He stated that an agri-photovoltaic park is planned next and said: “The electricity from these plants belongs to the people and businesses. With Burgenland Strom, everyone can use the electricity from the wind and photovoltaic plants in Burgenland securely and independently of market price fluctuations at a fixed price of 10 cents for 20 years. Burgenland Strom – participation in our wind and photovoltaic plants – is available to households and businesses.”