PNE AG: Gerdau-Schwienau wind farm successfully repowered

PNE AG has completed the “Gerdau-Schwienau” wind farm repowering project on time before the end of the year. Six new wind energy turbines with a nominal capacity of a total of 21.6 MW were fully erected. Although the number of wind turbines was more than halved as a result of repowering, power generation at the site can be roughly doubled.

Markus Lesser, CEO of PNE AG: "This successful repowering project also demonstrates the enormous potential of using existing wind power sites and renewing older wind turbines. Our extensive experience with such projects pays off."

PNE operates the wind farm as part of the 2020 portfolio, in which predominantly German and French wind farms with a capacity of up to 200 MW will be combined. Since the launch of “Gerdau-Schwienau”, wind farms with a nominal capacity of 64.6 MW are operated within the 2020 portfolio. 

At the wind farm in Lower Saxony, six Nordex N 131 systems, each with 3.6 MW nominal capacity and a hub height of 99 metres, have been set up. These will replace 13 wind energy turbines, which had been erected from 2001 in this wind farm by the PNE Group. The future average annual power production will be able to cover the power demand of more than 13,500 households. 

The environmentally friendly wind power generated will be fed into the 110 kV grid of Avacon AG via the newly constructed substation of the PNE Group located in the wind farm.

The dismantling of the wind energy installations and the disposal and recycling of the components were carried out in compliance with strict environmental regulations. Roads and floor spaces required for cranes within the construction phase have been dismantled.

The repowering project of the wind farm began in June 2018. The previous turbines, including the foundations, were completely dismantled.