Nordex has begun installing turbines at a wind power project in Finland’s North Ostrobothnia region, commissioned by a consortium comprising energy supplier Helen and Alandsbanken Wind Power Fund.
The order for Karahka was placed in 2022 and comprises 25 N163/5.X wind turbines with a total capacity of 147.5MW.
The N163/5.X turbines at the Karahka wind farm will be the first to employ the Nordex’s inhouse- developed hybrid concrete and steel tower at their tallest, at a hub height of 168 metres.
The tower has been developed based on the extensive expertise acquired by Nordex in designing and producing concrete towers in Brazil, South Africa and Mexico.
More than 2500 units are already in successful operation.
Lujabetoni has been locally manufacturing the concrete elements of the wind turbine towers for the Karahka wind farm in Finland since the summer of 2023.
A hybrid tower consists of convex concrete segments, up to 20 metres long, which are assembled and braced on site before the steel sections, nacelle and rotor are installed on top.
Using its tried-and-tested hybrid tower technology, Nordex will also be able to achieve higher hub heights in the coming years, further increasing the production of clean wind energy.
In 2024 the first installation of a 179 metre hybrid tower, based on the same technology, is planned in Germany.
The Karahka wind farm was developed by the Finnish subsidiary of the Dresden-based German VSB Group.
The wind farm is located north of the town of Oulainen, about 40 km east of the Gulf of Bothnia.
To deal with the harsh winter weather conditions at the site, Nordex wind turbines will be supplied in the cold climate version and will be equipped with its anti-icing technology for rotor blades.