Repowering pilot project in Emsland: RWE tests wind turbine with prefabricated foundation

• Lengerich wind farm: 1.8 MW turbine replaced by 5.7 MW turbine
• RWE uses prefabricated foundation for the first time – new construction method reduces CO₂ footprint

Katja Wünschel, CEO Onshore Wind and Solar Europe & Australia, RWE Renewables: “In spring 2023, we will replace an existing wind turbine at the Lengerich wind farm with a new, more powerful one. As well as supplying four times more households with green electricity, this brand new turbine will allow us to test the erection of a wind turbine on a prefabricated foundation for the first time. This saves time and also reduces the CO2 footprint of our wind turbine once again.”

RWE has decided on an innovative repowering project for a wind turbine in Emsland that sets an example in the field of sustainability. The 1.8 megawatt turbine, which has been in operation at the Lengerich wind farm since 2003, is being replaced by a modern 5.7 megawatt turbine. This will enable the significantly more powerful wind turbine to supply around 4,000 households with climate-neutral electricity in the future. So far, the existing turbine is producing enough green electricity to meet the needs of 1,000 households.

But the new plant will have a positive impact on the environment for another reason. For the first time, RWE will use a prefabricated foundation for the construction of the new plant. The foundation developed by Smart & Green Anker Foundations consists of 100 percent precast elements produced in the concrete plant. Only a third of the amount of steel and concrete normally used for poured standard foundations is used. Since all parts can be produced in advance in a concrete plant, the construction time is also reduced considerably, as construction can take place in almost any weather. Assembly is also less complicated, less expensive and more environmentally friendly: instead of using 120 concrete mixers, the parts are delivered by around 30 lorry trips and then bolted together on site. They can be easily dismantled again in case of later deconstruction.

The certification process for the innovative foundation is currently underway. This will be used to apply for a modification permit for the wind turbine that has already been approved. The dismantling of the old wind turbine is planned for spring of next year. The construction of the new turbine, which is scheduled to start operation in the fourth quarter of 2023, will also begin then. The hub height is 118 metres and the foundation will weigh around 800 tonnes.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current views, expectations and assumptions of management, and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements do not guarantee the occurrence of future results and developments and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and developments may deviate materially from the expectations and assumptions expressed in this document due to various factors. These factors primarily include changes in the general economic and competitive environment. Furthermore, developments on financial markets and changes in currency exchange rates as well as changes in national and international laws, in particular in respect of fiscal regulation, and other factors influence the company’s future results and developments. Neither the company nor any of its affiliates undertakes to update the statements contained in this press release.