RWE has achieved a significant milestone by doubling the output of the Elisenhof wind farm in Germany following a successful repowering effort. Located in the Paderborn district in North Rhine-Westphalia, the wind farm now operates with only two turbines, down from the original nine, while simultaneously doubling its electricity production to 11.4MW.
Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, emphasized the project's success in aligning with the energy transition and garnering community acceptance. She stated, “This project is a good example of how the energy transition can succeed. We were able to build on the acceptance of the population and now produce more than twice as much green electricity.”
Wünschel further highlighted the positive impact on local communities, citing the RWE climate bonus. Under this initiative, RWE voluntarily contributes 0.2 cents to the surrounding communities for every kilowatt-hour produced, translating to an additional income of approximately €40,000 per year.
Elisenhof stands out as a showcase project not only for increased efficiency but also for its commitment to recycling. The dismantled wind farm's main components, including rotor blades, nacelles, hubs, and control cabinets, are being repurposed in Spain. RWE's in-house workshop has successfully overhauled these components, demonstrating the potential to extend the service life of Spanish wind farms by 10 to 15 years.
RWE is advancing its repowering initiatives with another project in Emsland, where an old 1.8MW turbine is being replaced with a more powerful 5.7MW version at the Lengerich site. The larger rotor blades are expected to increase electricity production by approximately 400%, providing climate-neutral electricity to around 4,000 households, compared to the previous 1,000 households.
Scheduled for operation this winter, the Lengerich project is part of RWE's broader commitment to advancing renewable energy. Additionally, the company is undertaking repowering efforts in Lower Saxony, replacing 17 wind turbines across Lesse and Barbecke with a total capacity of 30.6MW, with 11 turbines boasting a combined capacity of 61.8MW.
