UK-based Elementum Energy has started commercial operations at the 40MW Dnistrovska 1 wind farm in Ukraine.
The project, which features 10 GE 137-4.0MW turbines on 131-metre towers, achieved mechanical completion in December 2020 and has now passed all necessary tests and protocols to enter into production.
Dnistrovska was developed together with the American-founded renewable energy company Ukraine Power Resources.
It cost €59m to build and is one of the largest foreign direct investment projects in the country.
The wind farm is expected to generate 146 gigawatt-hours of electricity a year and avoid 108,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Construction started in February 2020.
Elementum Energy and Ukraine Power Resources are currently in the process of constructing a second, 60MW phase of Dnistrovska, which is expected to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2022.
Elementum Energy board of directors chair Richard Deitz said: “We are excited to welcome the first wind park to Elementum Energy’s portfolio of renewable energy assets in Ukraine and look forward to the implementation of the second 60MW phase of the project.
“It is a tribute to the professionalism of our employees and partners that, in the midst of the global pandemic, we managed to complete Dnistrovska WP on time and on budget.
“We are thankful to everyone that helped us achieve this milestone.
“Despite the ongoing challenges in the renewable energy industry in Ukraine, we believe that these growing pains will be successfully managed.
“Green energy is destined to play a growing role in the Ukrainian energy sector.
“Ukraine has a tremendous opportunity in the medium term to transform its role in Europe’s energy value chain in line with the European ‘Green Deal’ principles, and we are committed to supporting this future as a leading foreign investor in the country.”
Ukraine Power Resources chief executive Peter Gish said: “It was a privilege to develop and build the Dnistrovska wind project.
“VR Capital and Elementum Energy were great partners in a challenging environment.
“GE’s construction teams worked seamlessly and tirelessly to meet our year-end deadlines, and the local and regional stakeholders were extraordinarily supportive and helpful.
“We are particularly proud of the fact that we had no injuries or accidents notwithstanding an accelerated construction schedule.
“Ukraine has an extraordinary land resource which is compatible with large scale renewable energy.
“We look forward to building our next wind project and helping Ukraine in the battle against climate change.”