German renewables outfit VSB Group has secured approval for the repowering of the Elster wind farm, in Wittenberg in Saxony-Anhalt.
At the wind farm, 50 wind turbines will be replaced by 16 more powerful and modern turbines, with a total capacity of 105MW.
“Repowering the wind farm will generate six times the amount of renewable energy by replacing old turbines with more efficient ones,” said managing director of VSB Neue Energien Deutschland Thomas Winkler.
“Repowering is a crucial instrument for achieving the German and European climate targets and, with the advantages of improved economic efficiency and a high degree of public approval, offers considerable potential for success, especially in Saxony-Anhalt.”
In close coordination with environmental construction supervisors, VSB is able to guarantee high standards of species protection and ecological sustainability.
In the Elster Repowering project, for example, new habitats have been found for more than 1000 sand lizards and around 10km of reptile fences have been erected to protect the animals during construction work. In addition, the Elster Repowering wind farm requires around a third less land than the old site. Fewer turbines will be erected than before. This means that a large part of the site can be restored, which will benefit the native flora and fauna and have a positive effect on the ecosystem.
At the Elster Repowering wind farm site, the old Enercon E-40 turbines have already been dismantled. The foundations of the old machines are expected to be removed by June 2023.
Parallel to the dismantling, preparatory work for the construction of the new wind turbines will begin, which is scheduled from early 2024.
For the first time, VSB Neue Energien Deutschland GmbH is applying a “split scope” concept, whereby SG 6.6-155 turbines from Siemens Gamesa will be installed on concrete foundations and towers from the manufacturer Max Bögl Wind.
The wind farm is scheduled to go online in the third quarter of 2024.