Download WindpowerUpdate 15 - Nordex

When Less Can Mean More
Nordex Repowering
Projects in Denmark
The repowering boom is sweeping over Denmark, and today an important replacement
of small and old wind turbines by new and more powerful wind turbines is
taking place.
It is expected that before the end of 2002, more than 200 MW
will be installed replacing about 70 MW derived from old and
small wind turbines. Nordex is involved in the Danish repowering
program by several projects using the well-proven N50/800
kW and N60/1300 kW machines.
The biggest Nordex repowering project is located at the
Danish island Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. Eight N60/1300 kW
and three N50/800 kW turbines are to replace approx. 35 old wind
turbines ranging from 20 kW to 99 kW. In Jutland, along the ferry
port of Ebeltoft facing to the Kattegat Sea, Nordex will install
four N60/1300 kW wind turbines. These new and efficient wind
turbines will replace 18 old turbines each of 55 kW, and once
described as the first offshore wind farm in Denmark. The last
Nordex repowering projects are dispersed over the country in
the southern part of Jutland. 24 small wind turbines are being
replaced by three N50/800 kW and two N60/1300 kW. All the
Nordex repowering projects will be installed this year.
The Danish repowering program was implemented in 2001,
the purpose being to reduce the number of small and old machines
(less than 150 kW, however most of the replaced machines
have a capacity of less than 100 kW) and to increase the wind
generation capacity. The program will continue until the end of
2003. According to the program, the projects being installed in
2002 are entitled to receive an average of 3 0.08 per kWh for the
first 12,000 full load hours of operation (approx. 5 years) then
dropping to 3 0.058 per kWh for the next 22,000 full load hours
(approx. 10 years). From January 1st , 2003, the kWh prices drop
to the market price plus a subsidy of 3 0.013 per kWh for turbines
installed after that date. However the limit is 3 0.048 per kWh,
so if for instance the market price per kWh is 3 0.040, the subsidy
will be limited to 3 0.008 per kWh.
Therefore, the Danish wind turbine market will reach a dead point
in 2003, at least in the beginning of the year, Jørn Motzkus,
Sales Manager Nordex, expects. However, he envisages that
the Scandinavian electricity market will change drastically within
the next few years. On the one hand, the Scandinavian grid
infrastructure will be even more efficient, and the grid system in
Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland will be more and more
integrated and soon become one system. On the other hand, a
general lack of power in these countries will occur favouring
Photo montage of the four new N60/1300 kW at Ebeltoft.
the use of power from wind energy. Several incidents support
this forecast. The demand for electricity is increasing and will
continue to increase in the coming years, and the existing power
supply will not be able to match this demand. For instance, in
Norway, the demand for power is increasing by approx. 2 % per
year, and at the same time, the country has decided not to extend
the installations of hydraulic power stations as a further extension
will have too much impact on the nature. Today, Norway’s
electricity is 100 % hydraulic power. A possible drought one year
will have a serious influence on the electricity market. The power
prices will rise, and even a rationing of the power might be a
consequence. The higher power prices and the insufficient power
supply will favour the development of new power production
capacity, including wind power.
Nr. 15 ı December 2002 17