Evwind, Wind Energy

Senvion delivers 18 wind turbines for Nordergründe offshore wind farm

Senvion SE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suzlon, the fifth-largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world, is delivering 18 wind turbines for the Nordergründe offshore wind farm in Germany’s North Sea.

The project is being erected by wpd offshore GmbH within the 12-sea mile zone at the mouth of the Weser, about 40 kilometres northwest of Bremerhaven. The companies signed the contract for delivery, installation and commissioning of the 18 Senvion 6.2M126 on 20 February in Bremen. Each turbine has a rated power of 6.15 megawatts (MW), enabling it to supply about 4,000 households with energy. After the planned completion in autumn 2016, the Nordergründe offshore wind farm will have an installed capacity of approximately 111 MW and be able to supply more than 70,000 households with power in a year.

 

Andreas Nauen, CEO of Senvion SE, said: “Successful energy turnaround needs offshore wind energy. Clear framework conditions will fill the order books again. We are very happy that our turbines and rotor blades from Bremerhaven are being used for the wind farm of wpd, a Bremen company. This project will create a lot of value locally. Thanks to the clear compensation provisions of the EEG (Renewable Energy Sources Act) our clients will be able to plan reliably, but the German offshore sector will soon need clear indicators for the years after 2019. The preparations for EEG 3.0 are the next step, and must start already this year.”

Martin Günthner, Senator of Economic Affairs, Labour and Ports of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, said: “We are pleased that the new contract means that PowerBlades can return to production. It’s an important message to the offshore sector and the region of Bremerhaven. Today, it is clearer than ever that short-time working was the right tool chosen for the transitional period. Most of all I would like to express my thanks for the constructive cooperation with Senvion; thanks to them, we can continue on a path with a long-term perspective.”

The turbines and rotor blades are produced by Senvion and PowerBlades in Bremerhaven. From there, the components can be transported directly to their destination by sea. The nacelle alone is as big as two single-family houses and will be assembled offshore at a hub height between 97 and 100 metres. Each rotor blade is more than 60 metres long and weighs about 23 tonnes. The rotor star has a diameter of 126 metres, with the rotors sweeping an area larger than two football pitches.

To date, the Senvion 6.2M126 is the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbine to be produced in series. Senvion got started in the multi-megawatt category back in 2004 and since then, has achieved a great deal of success. No other manufacturer today has the experience that Senvion has, with more than 140 turbines from the 5 and 6 megawatt class installed on the high seas.