Post by Fiona J. Cooper

German #energy firm RWE AG has started the repowering of its Calle wind farm in #LowerSaxony, launching a project that will increase the site’s total capacity to 17.1 MW, the company announced on Thursday. The modernisation involves replacing five older #turbines, which had a combined capacity of 9 MW and were built in 2004, with three new state-of-the-art machines, each rated at 5.7 MW. The upgrade will result in #electricity generation increasing fivefold at the site, #RWE said. The three new turbines, located in the Nienburg district, are scheduled for full commissioning by the end of 2026. RWE was awarded the repowering contract in the latest German #onshore wind auction held by the Federal Network Agency. The renovated wind farm is projected to supply the equivalent of approximately 16,000 households with #power. RWE will also pay a fee to the surrounding municipalities for every kilowatt-hour of Calle’s output. These payments could generate annual revenues of up to EUR 150,000 (USD 172,960) for the local communities. RWE said that #sustainable practices are integral to the project. The concrete from the old foundations is being reused to construct access roads for the new wind farm. Components from the dismantled turbines are being recycled, including one of the former towers being re-erected at another #windfarm. https://lnkd.in/ecsAdCPj