RWE has brought its 34-megawatt Aldenhoven wind farm online in North Rhine-Westphalia, developing the project on land previously used for lignite mining at the Inden opencast site.
The wind farm comprises six turbines rated at 5.7MW each and is expected to produce enough electricity to supply approximately 24,000 households annually, the company said.
“This project is a prime example of efficient electricity generation on recultivated land,” said Katja Wunschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia. “It demonstrates successful collaboration with the relevant authorities and local communities, as well as structural change in action.”
As part of its local engagement strategy, RWE will provide surrounding municipalities with a payment of €0.002 per kilowatt hour of electricity generated, which could total up to €150,000 per year.
The utility has also made a final investment decision to build two additional 7MW turbines near the Düren-Merken area, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2026.
RWE currently operates 249MW of wind capacity in the Rhenish lignite mining region and has another 77MW under construction. Nationwide, the company manages 676MW of onshore wind capacity in Germany, with projects totaling 170MW in development.
“We consider the Rhenish lignite area to be an ideal location for wind power,” Wunschel added.
