Nercon and German wind farm operator Alterric have commenced turbine installation for the Bertkow-Baben repowering project in Saxony-Anhalt. The project will replace 31 older turbines with 12 new units, each with a capacity of 5.56 megawatts (MW).
The repowering initiative aims to enhance energy output and efficiency by updating old equipment with more advanced technology. Alterric, EnergieConsult Stendal, and turbine manufacturer Enercon collaboratively installed the first of the 12 E-160 EP5 units at the end of June.
“The Bertkow-Baben wind farm is currently one of the largest repowering projects in Saxony-Anhalt,” said Alterric Managing Director Frank May. He added, “The modernisation will increase the wind farm's output from the current 79 MW to around 89 MW despite a reduction in the number of turbines.”
The new turbines will be mounted on hybrid towers with a hub height of 166.6 meters. Two installation teams equipped with large cranes are scheduled to complete the installation by August 2024. Commissioning is set to begin in July, with the goal of integrating the upgraded wind farm into the grid and starting green energy production by autumn 2024.
Enercon's Regional Head for Central and Northern Europe, Benjamin Seifert, stated, “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.”
