First power has been delivered from the 320MW Zeewolde wind farm repowering project in the Netherlands.
The first Vestas turbine has been installed and is operating, with the remaining 82 machines to follow in the coming months.
Tip heights of the turbines will vary from 140 metres to 220 metres, with the first unit having a height of 150 metres.
The highest turbines will be located along the A27 and the A6 roads, while capacity per turbine is on average 3.9MW.
Zeewolde is on schedule to be running at full capacity in the autumn of 2022.
Windpark Zeewolde managing director Sjoerd Sieburgh Sjoerdsma said: “This is a major milestone. We are realizing a unique local community project here in terms of size and support.
“The current 220 wind turbines in the area will be replaced by 83 larger, modern wind turbines.
“The project is owned by more than 200 farmers, residents and mill owners. Anyone in the area could participate and over 90% did.
“This first turbine is proof that a large and real local community project can and does work.”
Vestas Northern & Central Europe vice president of onshore construction Guido Hinrichs said: “We are proud to be delivering the innovative 320MW Windpark Zeewolde repowering project, and are delighted to have installed the first turbine, which is now producing power for the Dutch grid.
“Our priority now turns to ensuring the remaining 82 Vestas turbines are installed safely and on schedule, and then to service Windpark Zeewolde for the next 20 years, thereby supporting the more than 200 local farmers, residents and entrepreneurs that collectively own the project.
“This is an important project for the Netherlands and Vestas is delighted to be involved.”
