Innogy has officially inaugurated a 42MW wind farm in Germany which since autumn has seen its 13 new wind turbines operating in indeland to produce clean energy that is capable of supplying the equivalent of 30,000 households per year.
The City of Eschweiler together with project partners and supporters officially inaugurated the indeland wind farm Eschweiler. innogy, EWV and RURENERGIE built 13 wind turbines with a total capacity of 41.6 megawatts (MW) on recultivated land at the Inden opencast mine.
The 3.2MW turbines were manufactured by the German company Senvion. They were installed in two construction phases: four turbines (12.8MW) were erected to the northwest of Blaustein Lake bordering the Municipality of Aldenhoven and the City of Alsdorf, while nine turbines (28.8MW) were built north of Fronhoven. innogy holds a stake of 51 per cent in the wind farm project, while municipal partners EWV and RURENERGIE hold 29 and 20 per cent, respectively. The investment volume amounts to €62 million. The project was developed jointly with wind farm developer BMR and supported by development company indeland GmbH and RWE Power.
Rudi Bertram, Mayor of the City of Eschweiler, said: “By using renewable and sustainable energies, innogy is helping shape ongoing structural change in our region.”
Hans Bünting, Chief Operating Officer Renewables of innogy SE, said: “In the last five years, innogy has developed and built roughly 50 wind turbines in the Rhenish lignite mining area. That is how we are supporting structural change in the region and moving the energy transition forward. The indeland wind farm Eschweiler is a prime example of this and is the result of a special collaborative partnership: thanks to our strong municipal partners EWV and RURENERGIE and the support of RWE Power and the indeland development company, we were able to commission the new wind farm in less than one year.”
“In the last five years, innogy has developed and built roughly 50 wind turbines in the Rhenish lignite mining area. That is how we are supporting structural change in the region and moving the energy transition forward."
Hans Bünting, Chief Operating Officer Renewables of innogy SE
Claudia Patelczyk, Commercial Director of EWV Energie- und Wasser-Versorgung GmbH, added: “Our stake in indeland wind farm Eschweiler is the largest investment EWV has made in renewable energies. We are very pleased to be advancing the energy transition here in our region with this project. From planning to building, the cooperation with our partners went smoothly, and we are proud that EWV is part of such an exemplary project.”
Thomas Zerres, Chief Operating Officer of RURENERGIE GmbH, said: “The commissioning of this wind farm today is another significant step towards the new energy era. Together with our partners, RURENERGIE is helping to drive the local energy transition forward. In addition to the successful realisation of the wind farm in Echtz and the solar farm in Inden, this is another milestone in the still very young history of RURENERGIE.”
Lars Kulik, Member of the Executive Board of RWE Power AG, explained: “This wind farm is visible proof of the necessary and meaningful combination of renewables and lignite. It shows how acceptance of the energy transition can be ensured.”
Jens Bröker, Managing Director of indeland GmbH, added: “The indeland wind farm Eschweiler project is not only a clear demonstration of the innovative power found in indeland, it is also an outstanding example of regional cooperation. This unprecedented regional investment will have beneficial effects for both structural change and the climate.”