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Twelve modern 5.56 megawatt machines replace 31 old turbines / One of the largest renewal projects in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Installation of the new wind turbines has begun as part of the Bertkow-Baben repowering project in Saxony-Anhalt. Repowering refers to the process of replacing old wind turbines with new, more efficient models in order to generate more energy and increase efficiency.
Germany's largest onshore green energy producer and wind farm operator Alterric as well as EnergieConsult Stendal and turbine manufacturer ENERCON jointly installed the first of a total of 12 new E-160 EP5 wind turbines at the end of June. These modern wind turbines will replace 31 of the existing turbines that have been in operation at the wind farm for 20 years.
"The Bertkow-Baben wind farm is currently one of the largest repowering projects in Saxony-Anhalt," says Alterric Managing Director Dr Frank May, "The modernisation will increase the wind farm's output from the current 79 megawatts to around 89 megawatts in the future – despite a reduction in the number of turbines." This corresponds to an increase in power output of 100,000 megawatt hours from the current annual 88,000 MWh to a good 188,000 MWh in future.
The new ENERCON E-160 EP5 turbines each have a rated output of 5.56 megawatts and will be installed on hybrid towers with a hub height of 166.6 metres. Two installation teams with two large cranes will ensure that the installation is completed by August 2024. At the same time, the commissioning measures will begin in July of this year so that the modernised wind farm can be fully connected to the grid and feeding green energy into the grid by autumn 2024.
Alterric and ENERCON are partners in the Bertkow-Baben repowering project. For all involved, the modernisation of the wind farm is an important building block in the expansion of onshore wind energy. "Established wind sites can be utilised much more efficiently with modern turbine technology. They also ensure that the location and added value are maintained in the region," says Paul Rauchstädt, Regional Manager East at Alterric. "The amount of green electricity generated is significantly increased."
Benjamin Seifert, Regional Head of the Central & Northern Europe region at ENERCON, adds: "Consistent repowering is a turbo for the energy transition. Land and infrastructure are available, wind energy is accepted in the vicinity of existing wind farms, so that accelerated realisation is possible. This potential must be utilised for the further implementation of the energy transition."
As a pioneer of wind energy technology and a committed supporter of the energy transition, we have specialised in developing, producing, selling and servicing onshore wind turbines. Pursuing our mission of ‘Energy for the world’, we have been championing sustainable energy generation from onshore wind since 1984. Thanks to our innovative wind turbine technology, high quality standards and many years of experience, we are one of the industry’s leading manufacturers anywhere in the world.
First turbine of the new top-of-the-range wind turbine model is installed in Borchen-Etteln (North Rhine-Westphalia) / Commissioning measures already started
ENERCON achieved the technological breakthrough in the 1990s with the legendary E-40/500 kW. The gearless drive concept introduced for the first time with this wind turbine type still characterises ENERCON wind energy converters to this day. It also forms the basis for the new top-of-the-range model E-175 EP5 that ENERCON is currently rolling out in series production.
Following the successful fulfilment of the 750 MW turbine delivery agreements in the first phase, the companies have taken another step towards completing the 1,000 MW project by signing a delivery agreement for the remaining 250 MW capacity.
As of 2026, top model will be available with 7.0 MW and tower of 175 metres