The German authorities have approved the first wind farms that will feature Enercon’s new E-160 EP5 turbine.
Approval has been granted in accordance with the German Federal Immission Control Act for three machines for the Hamelhausen project in the district of Nienburg and for 10 units for the Albringhausen 2 wind farm in Diepholz.
Enercon is installing the turbines in a new construction project for M&S Wind and a repowering project for Westwind, respectively.
Enercon regional sales manager for Lower Saxony Wolfgang Lubbe said: “We are pleased to be able to start the next phase in both of these projects with this development.
“This approval being granted for Hamelhausen is particularly significant for us, as prototypes of the new E-160 EP5 E3 are being installed here.
“These are the first Enercon WECs to feature an E-nacelle and electrical systems integrated in the machine house.
“The approval is a major milestone in the prototype project.
“We can now tackle the installation of the prototype at the start of next year as planned.”
Enercon regional head of Central & Northern Europe Ulrich Schulze Sudhoff said: “The new wind energy converter types in the EP5 platform give us a good starting position in the competition.
“The E-160 EP5 is an attractive option for our customers particularly when it comes to repowering projects – and there is huge potential for repowering in the CNE region, especially in the core market of Germany.
“EEG funding has stopped for up to 4000MW of existing wind energy converter power since the end of 2020.
“Another 2300–2400MW will follow on average every year until 2025. Politicians and the industry need to do everything they can to keep these sites and prevent the failure of the energy transition.
“In turn, we have a clear objective to secure as large a share of repowering business for Enercon as possible.”