One of Europe's Largest Repowering Projects: VSB Wind Farm Elster Nearing Completion – Commissioning Begins
Dresden, Zahna-Elster / Germany – The construction of the last of a total of 16 new wind turbines in the Repowering Wind Farm Elster of the VSB Group in Saxony-Anhalt is nearing completion.
According to VSB, the work on the construction site is progressing as planned. While major components are currently being installed on the final turbine, interior works on the remaining, already erected turbines are advancing rapidly. Full grid connection for the new wind farm is planned for the summer of 2025.
The project is one of the largest wind farm repowering projects in Europe: 16 powerful new turbines with a total capacity of 105.6 MW will replace 50 old Enercon E-40 turbines with an original capacity of around 30 MW.
This means that at the site, only one-third of the original number of turbines will be used, but with nearly four times the capacity, producing a total of around 235 million kWh (235 GWh) of electricity annually, which is enough to supply approximately 67,000 three-person households. The old wind farm had an annual energy yield of about 36 million kWh (36 GWh) per year.
The VSB Group has been involved with the site for over 20 years and is making a strong statement with this project for the sustainable transformation of energy supply. Construction preparations for two additional wind turbines are set to begin later this year to further expand the site's potential.
"The Elster project is more than just a wind farm – it’s a symbol of the urgent transformation our energy infrastructure needs. We’re proud to be helping shape this transition and to demonstrate how existing sites can be ‘recycled’ and optimised using modern technology", says Thomas Winkler, Managing Director of VSB Germany, about the repowering project nearing completion. "At the same time, the project serves as a prime example of how established wind sites can evolve – a strategy of growing importance across Europe, as many turbines approach the end of their economic lifespan", adds Dr. Felix Grolman, CEO of the VSB Group.
Source: IWR Online, 16 Apr 2025