Wind energy in Germany: Vestas supplies wind turbines for citizen-owned wind farm

Vestas entered the German market in 1986. Since then, the company has delivered about 7,000 turbines representing a total capacity of more than 10,300 MW to this key market.  Vestas’ full wind energy value chain is represented in Germany: R&D, production, sales locations along with a unique service infrastructure as well as business unit headquarters. Vestas employs around 1,900 people in Germany.

Windpark Kalkriese GmbH & Co. KG has placed an order for 12 V126-3.3 MW for a 39.6 MW wind park in Lower Saxony. The project will use Vestas’ patented Large Diameter Steel Towers to achieve higher hub heights and increased annual energy production.

The turbines will be installed in Kalkriese in the county of Osnabruck in Lower Saxony, with delivery expected to start in the beginning of the first quarter of 2016 and commissioning expected by the end of the second quarter of 2016. The site’s construction regulations allow a tip height of 200 meter and the project will therefore utilise the Vestas-patented Large Diameter Steel Towers with 137 meter hub heights to maximise energy output.

The contract comprises supply, foundation works, installation and commissioning of the turbines, along with a 16-year full-scope service agreement (AOM 5000) as well as a VestasOnline® Business SCADA solution to maximise production and minimise downtime.

“Our decision to choose Vestas V126-3.3 MW was mainly based on our evaluation of its profitability”, says Ralf Große-Endebrock managing director of the Kalkriese power plant. “During procurement Vestas also provided insight to the development, production and performance of the V126-3.3 MW, which together with the collaborative and professional approach of the Vestas Sales representatives convinced us that Vestas could deliver the best wind energy solution for our Kalkriese site”.

“I am glad to see the demand for our V126-3.3 MW continues to rise in Germany”, says Knud E. Rissel, Vice President Sales Germany. “The Kalkriese project is a great example of the value that Vestas’ Large Diameter Steel Towers bring to a site that allows for higher hub heights. The people of Kalkriese are taking a pioneering role with the size and capacity of their citizen-owned wind park, and we are very pleased they have chosen us as the supplier of choice”.