After successfully operating its own Börger-Breddenberg wind farm consisting of seven E-66/18.70 turbines in 2002/3, ENOVA began in 2013 to work on a southern extension in the municipality of Börger.

In 2014, the district of Emsland decided to revise its Regional Spatial Development Plan (RROP) in the wind sub-category in order to designate new areas suitable for wind. ENOVA countered opposition from quarters such as aviation and nature conservation and developed strategies to have the planned area included in the RROP. Finally, in 2016, after numerous discussions with the authorities and municipalities, ENOVA managed to have the area included in the RROP. Half of the project was also offered to the landowners for their own use. Every resident was also allowed to participate in the project through a fixed-interest loan. In total, €400,000 of the wind farm was partially financed by citizen investments to bring fresh wind for a greener future.

The Börger Ohe 1 wind farm, which was commissioned in 2016 in the Samtgemeinde of Sögel (Emsland), consists of four Enercon E-115 wind turbines and has a total installed capacity of 12 MW.

Taking just under nine months to build, the wind farm was commissioned in June 2016. Its projected energy yield is around 31 GWh/a, which is equivalent to the energy demand of 9,000 households.

The Waldfeucht wind farm has 14 Enercon E-66 18.70 turbines and was commissioned in 2004 in the district of Heinsberg (North Rhine-Westphalia). It has a total output of 25.2 MW.

Following its purchase in 2021 by ENOVA Value, the wind turbines are to be replaced by seven Nordex N-163 turbines in cooperation with local partners the Frauenrath Group and BMR energy solutions GmbH, to produce a total output of 39.9 MW.

Until repowering takes place, the turbines will be operated using all the capabilities of the ENOVA group in alliance with external partners.

After acquiring the old wind farm from its Danish owners, we had to obtain approval for repowering as quickly as possible while continuing to operate the old farm cost-effectively.

By taking over the wind farm’s technical and commercial management, ENOVA was able to optimise its monitoring and liquidity planning. ENOVA Service was also able to introduce a cost-optimised partial maintenance concept which substantially reduced costs during the operating period.

Cash flow from the old farm paid for repowering, which was done together with partners BMR energy solutions and Frauenrath.

ENOVA is responsible for structuring financing and general stakeholder management, BMR/Frauenrath for on-site project development. By combining their expertise it was possible to obtain approval for seven turbines and their acceptance in the EEG tender within two years of purchase.

By combining the capabilities of the ENOVA group, it was not only possible to ensure continued operation until repowering, but also to complete all of the preparations and measures needed for repowering in collaboration with the partners.

When the external operator became insolvent, ENOVA managed to take over all of its responsibilities within just a few days and ensure continued economic operation in close alliance with ENOVA Service GmbH. The activities involved in operational management and the provision of services are coordinated so as to avoid unnecessary costs caused by the upcoming repowering. This in turn will achieve the best possible economic outcome for the period until repowering.

Working with local project developers, ENOVA was able to demonstrate not only its competence, but also its ability to work in a team and adapt flexibly to different structures

With its 70 Enercon E-40 5.40 wind turbines, Midlum wind farm, which began operation in 1999, is one of the largest in Europe. A total capacity of 35 MW is installed across the facility.

Because the wind farm cannot be repowered, a suitable concept had to be developed in order for it to operate economically, even at a lower energy tariff.

ENOVA Service GmbH’s aim was to develop a concept that would ensure continued long-term economic operation. By analysing the wind farm’s last 20 years of operation, we identified the biggest cost drivers among the spare parts and derived ways of obtaining them cost-effectively. We also had to secure against large component damage. By purchasing and reconditioning several identical Enercon E-40 5.40 wind turbines, it was also possible to minimise the risk of economic decommissioning caused by damage to major components.

A stock range target of one year was set in order to ensure that spare parts would be rapidly available. This target can be tracked in real time using our ERP system and automatically adjusted to the number of wind turbines under management. This system enables us to respond quickly to changes in the market, in order to ensure continued economic operation.

These activities led to the development of a continued operation concept for Enercon EP1 platform (E-40 to E-53) turbines, which not only ensured ongoing economic operation at the Midlum wind farm, but also allowed other operators to benefit from synergies in the future.