Paris, December 11, 2018 – EDF Renewables announces the repowering of the Eckolstädt wind farm in Germany, the first in a series to come.
“Repowering” or renewal refers to the refurbishment of an installation that has reached the end of its life. With an initial capacity of 14.5 MW, the Eckolstäldt wind farm now has an installed capacity of 34.5 MW.
The repowering operation thus contributes to the EDF Group's CAP 2030 strategy, which aims to double its renewable capacities worldwide between 2015 and 2030, to reach 50 GW.
Eckolstädt wind farm (34.5 MW)
Located in Thuringia, a state in central Germany, the Eckolstädt wind farm, developed and commissioned by EDF Renewables in 1999, was made up of 11 first generation wind turbines.
After obtaining a new building permit at the end of 2016 giving right to a 20-year electricity sales contract, Eckolstädt was the subject of a complete operation at the start of 2018. dismantling of its wind turbines by REETEC, a subsidiary of EDF Renewables. The components of the wind turbines were mainly recycled and the foundations were crushed to serve as backfill for the platforms of the new project and the surrounding roads.
On the site, the wind farm was then rebuilt and currently has 10 new generation wind turbines.
The entire half-year project was carried out by EDF Renewables in Germany.
The power of the new wind farm could be increased from 20 MW to 34.5 MW, with a limited number of wind turbines.
Its annual electricity production provides energy to nearly 18,500 German homes.
EDF Renewables is currently studying other repowering projects in Germany where there is a potential of 6,000 wind turbines (4.5 GW) to be renewed by the end of 2020, and around 1,600 wind turbines (2.5 GW) per year between 2021 and 2026.
EDF Renewables is also studying four repowering projects in France.
With the growing number of wind farms expected to reach the end of their life between 2020 and 2030 – estimated at around 76 GW of installed capacity in Europe** – repowering is a growing activity, in which EDF Renewables has been developing its expertise for several years. .
* According to the Deutsche WindGuard study entitled: „Weiterbetrieb von Windenergieanlagen nach 2020“.
** According to the European association WindEurope, of the 141.6 GW of wind power installed in 2015 in the European Union, almost half should reach the end of their life between 2020 and 2030.
PRESS CONTACTS
Manon of Cassini-Hérail ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 40 90 48 22 ▪ email: manon.decassini-herail@edf-en.com
Clarisse Placidoux ▪ tel. : +33 (0)1 40 90 49 46 ▪ email: clarisse.placidoux@edf-en.com
About EDF Renewables (formerly EDF Energies Nouvelles)
EDF Renewables is an international leader in renewable electricity with an installed capacity of 14.2 GW gross worldwide. Its development is mainly focused on wind power and photovoltaic solar power. Mainly present in Europe and North America, EDF Renewables continues its development by taking a position in promising emerging markets such as: Brazil, China, India, South Africa and the Gulf regions. The Company, which is strongly positioned in the offshore wind sector, is also present in other renewable energy sectors: marine energies, distributed energies as well as energy storage. EDF Renewables ensures the development and construction of renewable energy projects as well as their operation and maintenance, for its own account and on behalf of third parties. The majority of its international subsidiaries are grouped around the EDF Renewables brand. EDF Renouvelables is the subsidiary of the EDF group dedicated to the development of solar and wind energy.
For more information : www.edf-renouvelables.com
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About REETEC
Founded in 1996 in Bremen, Germany, REETEC is one of Europe's largest independent service providers serving onshore and offshore wind energy. Its comprehensive service offering covers electrical engineering, electrical assembly and mechanics, operation and maintenance ("O&M") services, maintenance of blades, rotors and masts, replacement and repair of the main components of wind turbines, beacon lights but also qualification and operator training.
REETEC acquired OWS Off-Shore Wind Solutions in 2017. The Emden Joint Offshore Services Center (“EOSC”) brings together the capacities required for the turbogenerators of North Sea wind turbines, as well as a total maintenance concept at the best value for money. REETEC/OWS has 350 employees.
Since 2007, REETEC has been part of the EDF Renewables group. www.reetec.eu
Figures for December 2018 (excluding EOSC and electrical engineering).
