German renewable energy developer Energiequelle has commenced dismantling work at the Bremen-Rekum wind farm as part of a repowering project aimed at significantly increasing energy output from the site.
Two ageing Enercon E-66 turbines, each with a capacity of 1.8 megawatts (MW), are being removed to make way for two modern Nordex N163 turbines. Each of the new turbines will have a 7MW capacity, a rotor diameter of 163 metres, and a hub height of 164 metres.
The upgrade is expected to improve the wind farm’s efficiency by approximately 800%, according to the company. Once operational, the new turbines will be capable of supplying electricity to around 12,000 households and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 35,000 tonnes annually.
Energiequelle received planning approval at the end of 2023 after submitting its application in January of that year. The project later secured a contract in the Federal Network Agency’s onshore wind energy tender in September, following adjustments to the transport route to avoid a listed railway track.
Project manager Felix Busse noted that site preparation involved several logistical and historical challenges. “Due to the proximity to a large wartime submarine bunker, we were busy clearing explosive ordnance for months,” he said. “A preliminary archaeological investigation was also necessary, as the construction site is located in an area with archaeological potential.
With dismantling underway, construction of the new turbines is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025, with commissioning targeted for spring 2026.
