Statkraft, one of Europe's largest renewable energy producers, has announced plans to construct a new wind farm in the Siegen-Wittgenstein district of Germany. The Erndtebrück project aims to deliver green electricity to up to 53,000 households in the country while helping to prevent around 160,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
The wind farm will be equipped with up to 12 wind turbines, and the construction and commissioning are scheduled for 2027. The wind farm is expected to be established on a forest area used for forestry purposes in the areas of Zinse, Zinser Rücken, and Alte Schlag. Statkraft has identified these areas as being particularly affected by drought and bark beetle infestation in recent years, with many parts of the forest already having been destroyed.
According to Thorsten Müller, the project manager for wind and solar at Statkraft, “Wind farms in the forest will make a significant contribution to the energy transition in Germany. In Erndtebrück, we have good conditions for a high-performance energy park, with which we not only support climate protection goals, but also enable added value for the community and citizens.”
To compensate for the environmental impact of the project, Statkraft has pledged to reforest all calamity areas in the wind farm planning area with the help of rental income. The project is expected to generate a significant amount of revenue, which will enable the company to create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and support community development.
The Erndtebrück project is an important step towards Germany's transition to renewable energy, as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and meet its climate goals. With the construction of the wind farm, Statkraft is making a significant contribution to this effort, while also supporting the local community and protecting the environment.
In the words of Müller, “We believe that this project is a win-win for everyone involved. We are excited to work with the community and other stakeholders to make this project a success.”
