Modern turbines double the power in renewed Dutch wind farm

Dutch Slufterdam wind farm was inaugurated in 2002. Today, its original 17 turbines have been replaced by 14 more efficient ones. As a result, the power output was doubled from 25 MW to 50 MW.

The original wind farm has been supplying renewable energy since 2002. In mid-2017 Dutch utility Eneco and Vattenfall,  started preparations to replace the wind turbines. In a period of roughly 18 months, the old wind turbines were dismantled, new infrastructure was built, and the new wind turbines were installed.

Many parties involved

Constructive cooperation between the various parties in this region was a significant factor in ensuring this project was completed successfully. Diverse social and economic interests intersect due to the unique location of the wind farm, including nature conservation organisations South-Holland Landscape Foundation and Nature Reserves Holland Landscape, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, municipalities Westvoorne and Rotterdam, and two competing energy companies: Eneco and Vattenfall. They all worked together to achieve the ultimate objective: to generate more renewable energy that also contributes to the restoration of the natural environment.

Peter Smink, CEO Vattenfall Netherlands says: "For Vattenfall, every step we take with wind energy and other renewables is an important milestone, because it is entirely consistent with our ambition to enable fossil free living within one generation. This wind farm is situated in a unique location with plenty of wind. With the new, larger wind turbines, we can make perfect use of this resource."

Slufterdam wind farm facts and figures

• 14 Vestas VII2 wind turbines: 8 belonging to Vattenfall and 6 belonging to Eneco.
• 3.6 MW per wind turbine for a total of 50.4 MW installed capacity.
• The Amsterdam transport company GVB will purchase electricity from the Vattenfall wind turbines.
• Royal Schiphol Group N.V. (Amsterdam airport) will purchase electricity from part of the Eneco turbines. Eneco is in dialogue with local parties for power from the rest of their turbines.