04/05/2009
Germany - Community investment drives wind power success
Community investment has helped Germany to become the most successful nation for wind power in Europe.
At Marienkoog, in North Friesland, dozens of local people have taken a share in their local wind farm and watched the turbines being constructed for the benefit of the neighbourhood. The 25 MW Marienkoog wind farm comprises 7 turbines with a capacity of 3.6 MW manufactured by Siemens. The wind farm is owned by a combination of farmers and local residents who have invested in the project.
With an annual electricity output of 78 GWh, the wind farm avoids the emission of 62,400 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
When the older wind turbines at Marienkoog were replaced by fewer more powerful models, people living nearby were offered a third of the shares in the 'repowering' project. Altogether, in the Galmsbüll Bürgerwindpark (citizens' wind farm), of which Marienkoog is part, a total of 240 residents invested 5 million Euro. This represented 40% of the district's adult population.
One result has been general acceptance of the new taller wind turbines in the landscape of this mainly farming region close to the North Sea coast. The local council also receives income from the business tax paid by the wind farm.
Last year, the seven Siemens 3.6 MW (Megawatt) turbines at Marienkoog produced more electricity than expected, generating a good return for the investors.
"We have a very strong relationship with the communities in North Friesland," says Jess Jessen, a farmer and one of the originators of the Marienkoog scheme. "If you have so many local people involved you get greater acceptance."
Projects like this have enabled Germany to maintain its position as one of the leading countries for the development of wind power. At the end of 2008 there was a total capacity of almost 24,000 MW in operation. The German Wind Energy Association says that more than twice as much - 55,000 MW -could be turning by 2020, supplying a quarter of the country's electricity demand every year.
For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net
At Marienkoog, in North Friesland, dozens of local people have taken a share in their local wind farm and watched the turbines being constructed for the benefit of the neighbourhood. The 25 MW Marienkoog wind farm comprises 7 turbines with a capacity of 3.6 MW manufactured by Siemens. The wind farm is owned by a combination of farmers and local residents who have invested in the project.
With an annual electricity output of 78 GWh, the wind farm avoids the emission of 62,400 tons of carbon dioxide each year.
When the older wind turbines at Marienkoog were replaced by fewer more powerful models, people living nearby were offered a third of the shares in the 'repowering' project. Altogether, in the Galmsbüll Bürgerwindpark (citizens' wind farm), of which Marienkoog is part, a total of 240 residents invested 5 million Euro. This represented 40% of the district's adult population.
One result has been general acceptance of the new taller wind turbines in the landscape of this mainly farming region close to the North Sea coast. The local council also receives income from the business tax paid by the wind farm.
Last year, the seven Siemens 3.6 MW (Megawatt) turbines at Marienkoog produced more electricity than expected, generating a good return for the investors.
"We have a very strong relationship with the communities in North Friesland," says Jess Jessen, a farmer and one of the originators of the Marienkoog scheme. "If you have so many local people involved you get greater acceptance."
Projects like this have enabled Germany to maintain its position as one of the leading countries for the development of wind power. At the end of 2008 there was a total capacity of almost 24,000 MW in operation. The German Wind Energy Association says that more than twice as much - 55,000 MW -could be turning by 2020, supplying a quarter of the country's electricity demand every year.
For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net
- Source:
- Danish Wind Industry Association
- Author:
- Edited by Trevor Sievert, Online Editorial Journalist / Author: Danish Wind Industry Association Staff
- Email:
- ts@windfair.net
- Link:
- www.windfair.net/...
- Keywords:
- Danish Wind Industry Association, wind energy, renewable energy, wind turbine, wind power, wind farm, rotorblade, onshore, offshore, Principle Power
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