Tauernwindfarm Oberzeiring

Repowering 2017/2018 - fewer turbines, more output

13 Vestas V66 turbines were reduced to 9 Vestas V112 turbines as part of the repowering. The technical advancement of the turbine technology increases the yield and the profitability of the project.
9 turbines now generate energy for more than 25,000 electric cars or about 20,000 households.
Now the Tauernwindpark is state of the art and well prepared for the next 20 years. By increasing the emission-free wind power yield at the same location, repowering also contributes to climate protection and is therefore an important topic for the coming years with regard to the Austrian and European climate targets.

Alpine wind farm at an altitude of 1,920 metres

The repowering of the Tauernwindpark Oberzeiring placed extreme demands on all the companies involved; the preparation time alone stretched over about three years. The first route study for the construction of the V112 took place in May 2016. Based on the results of the curve simulations, a special design of the tower segments was developed by Vestas especially for the site due to the narrow hairpin bends. The time window for construction activities is very short at alpine sites - six months from dismantling to commissioning.

In June 2017, work began on the construction of the new crane parking areas and the adaptation of the wind farm's internal paths. The driveway was adapted to the requirements of turbine transport in August 2017 and foundation construction began in September 2017. Thus, while the existing wind farm was still generating electricity, the infrastructure for the next generation was already being built.

A particular challenge was the narrow town centre of Oberzeiring, as well as the simultaneous removal of the old turbines. Together with Felbermayr, a sophisticated transport concept was developed.

In spring 2018, immediately after the snow melted, the dismantling of the 13 old plants was started and completed 3 months later. Parallel to the dismantling, the construction of the 9 new plants was started. Commissioning already started at the beginning of September and thus the new turbines were gradually put into operation within a month.

"The Tauernwindpark Oberzeiring is a very special project for us." explains Lukas Winkler, EWS Managing Director. "Many well-known companies were involved in the repowering in 2018. Our man on site, Thomas Sutter, brought all his years of experience to the project and through the multiple professional cooperation with our partner companies, we were able to complete the construction work swiftly. When there were problems, they were managed together through swift action and competent solutions."

Read some statements of our clients:

04.12.2017, Johannes Trauttmansdorff, Client:
"The experience of EWS in construction management and especially also in alpine terrain is a huge plus. I can rely on Thomas Sutter, EWS project manager, to always find a solution!"

25.06.2018, Mark Suer, Managing Director ImWind Management and Head of Construction Management:
"The Tauernwindpark is the prestige repowering project of the wind industry. As a client, the most important thing for us is that everything runs safely and smoothly, that we bring in revenue again as quickly as possible and that we work in harmony with nature in a way that conserves resources. With EWS as our partner, we are sure that full commitment will be given to our interests in all matters."

History and special features of the wind farm

At the time of its construction, the Tauernwindpark Oberzeiring was the highest wind farm site in Europe (1,920 m). In 2002, 11 Vestas V66 wind turbines were erected. Planning and construction management were also carried out by EWS at that time. The construction was part of an EU project to research wind energy in alpine regions. The altitude and the associated extreme climate with snow, ice and of course wind as well as the sensitive alpine flora and fauna posed a challenge. New transport routes were found and the long distances were mastered. The 11.8 km long access road had to overcome a 900 m difference in altitude. For the grid connection, 20.9 km of power lines were laid with countless crossings of streams and roads. The wind farm was expanded in 2004 and 2014. Thus, the wind farm consisted of 13 x V66 and 1 x Enercon E92. In addition, a photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 2 MW was commissioned in 2011 and has been successfully operated since then.

Client: Tauernwind Windkraftanlagen GmbH
Wind turbine: currently: Vestas V112 & Enercon E92, previously Vestas V66 & Enercon E92
Installed capacity: currently: 32.00 MW (10 WTG), previously: 25.05 MW (14 WTG)