Wind Energy

PNE WIND AG enters the repowering sector with the Alt Zeschdorf wind farm

With the Alt Zeschdorf wind farm, the wind farm developer PNE WIND AG (ISIN: DE000A0JBPG2) has successfully completed its first repowering project. Repowering involves the replacement of old wind-driven power systems with more modern, higher performing and more effective systems. The goal of the repowering is to clearly increase the efficiency of wind power for the production of electricity as quickly as possible. The Windpark began its operations in April 2009 before then being transferred to purchaser EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG.

In the context of additional relief for the environment through increased electricity production, the German federal government and federal parliament established special support for repowering projects in the German Renewable Energy Law (EEG). In this context, electricity from wind power plants which fulfil the corresponding legal regulations is awarded with an added bonus payment. This is intended to achieve a more rapid exchange of old systems.

The requirements of repowering are considerable: the old and new wind-driven power plants must be located in either the same or neighbouring districts. The law also states that the systems which are to be replaced must be removed from service. The new systems must also provide at least double the electricity provided by the wind power systems that they have replaced.

At the `Windpark Alt Zeschdorf´ repowering project, the developer has fulfilled all of these conditions. Confirmation is now available which includes the certification for the fulfilment of the repowering requirements.

At the Alt Zeschforf wind farm, three Vestas V90 type wind-driven power systems have been constructed, each with an installed capacity of 2 MW and a comparatively high hub height of 108 metres. The wind energy driven power systems can cover the annual power requirements of approximately 4,000 private households. The wind farm is therefore providing a significant contribution to environmental protection, as the environmentally friendly production of such electricity from wind power avoids the creation of around 8,500 tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.

Martin Billhardt, Chairman of PNE WIND AG, is especially pleased: "For us, the starting shot for the repowering has now been fired. PNE WIND AG has entered this market early on and with a professional approach." Due to the age structure of the wind farms that currently exist in Germany, the executive also views the exchanging of old systems to represent an additional growth-driver for the wind power market. "The number of repowering projects is set to rapidly increase in the future. Due to our solid market position, we therefore view additional growth potential to exist for PNE WIND AG", explains Martin Billhardt, summarising the positive outlook.

PNE WIND AG with its headquarters in Cuxhaven plans and implements wind-farm projects on land (onshore) and also at high sea (offshore). In this context, its central competence is developing, projecting, implementing and financing wind-farms and their operation or sale with subsequent service. Up to now, the company has built 92 wind-farms with 535 wind turbines and an installed capacity of 770 MW.

Alongside the business activity on the established German home market, PNE WIND AG is also increasingly investing in dynamic growth markets and has representations via joint ventures in Hungary, Bulgaria, Turkey, Great Britain, Ireland, Romania and Canada. Wind-farm projects with an installed capacity of up to 1,400 MW are currently under development in these countries and are to be built in the medium term. In addition, a subsidiary has been founded in the USA. In Germany (onshore), wind-farm projects with an installed capacity of more than 300 MW are currently under development.

Furthermore, PNE WIND AG develops offshore wind-farm projects, three of which have already been approved in German waters. Entering promising foreign markets is also being examined for the offshore area.

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