German Communities Driving Windfarm Rollout

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--As Germany pushes for more renewable energy in the wake of its decision to phase out nuclear power, the region of North Friesland is leading the way in the rollout of community-led windfarms.

Seven communities in the region have placed orders for windfarms with a combined generating capacity of almost 115 megawatts (MW). The orders placed with REpower Systems AG (ETR:RPW) (Hamburg, Germany) are for 47 turbines, including 33 MM82 and MM92 turbines rated at 2 MW each, and 14 turbines rated at 3 MW. The communities concluded the deal under the leadership of WEB Andresen GmbH. Germany is already Europe's largest proponent of wind energy with an installed capacity of more than 27,000 MW This is expected to grow even further since the government voted to ditch nuclear power in the coming decade. For additional information, see May 30, 2011, article - Germany Votes to Dump Nuclear Power.

In July, subsidies for different renewable energy technologies were improved as the government seeks to encourage investors to fill the looming energy gap with more wind and other renewable energy projects. In its Renewable Energy Sources Act for 2012, it outlined how it now wants to see the country generate up to 40% of its energy from renewables by 2020. For additional information, see July 28, 2011, article - Germany Raises Renewable Energy Targets.

"A large proportion of the wind projects in North Friesland are operated with the participation of citizens" said Andreas Nauen, chief executive officer of REpower Systems SE. "The benefits to the participants are obvious: not only [do they avail of] of the business tax, but a large part of the value remains in the region, and the residents can be actively involved in the planning process."

Construction on the windfarms will begin in the coming year with commissioning expected in 2013. According to REpower, North Friesland is being celebrated as the leading model for community-led windfarms with many other German regions, particularly in southern Germany, evaluating similar schemes.

Earlier this year, REpower signed an onshore framework deal for up to 240 of its turbines, most of them rated at 3 MW, with renewable energy company juwi Group (Bolanden, Germany). With a combined capacity of about 720 MW, it is the company's largest-ever onshore turbine deal in Europe. For additional information, see April 8, 2011, article - REpower Wins Major Onshore Turbine Deal.

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