Construction of the Sundern wind farm in Germany's Hochsauerland district has reached its halfway mark, with ENERCON announcing the completion of the sixth turbine this month as part of a twelve-turbine first construction phase being developed in collaboration with Trianel Wind and Solar.

Project Scale and Location

The Sundern wind farm is taking shape as one of the largest wind energy installations in North Rhine-Westphalia. The first construction phase involves the installation of twelve E-160 EP5 E3 turbines, which together will deliver a total capacity of 66.7 megawatts. Beyond the turbines themselves, the project also encompasses the construction of a dedicated substation to connect the facility to the grid.

The development is situated in the Hochsauerland district, a region in the eastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia. When complete, the scale of the project will place Sundern among the most significant wind energy developments the state has seen.

Logistics Achievement

One of the standout accomplishments highlighted by ENERCON is the delivery of all major component transports, including what the company described as complex special logistics, finishing a full month ahead of schedule. Moving large wind turbine components through road networks presents significant logistical challenges, typically requiring extensive coordination with local authorities, road surveys, and carefully timed convoys of heavy haulage vehicles.

ENERCON attributed the early completion of the transport phase to close collaboration and dedication from all parties involved in the project. The ahead-of-schedule delivery of components to site is a meaningful operational achievement given the size and complexity of the machinery involved in modern utility-scale wind turbine installations.

Turbine Specifications

The twelve turbines forming the backbone of the first phase are ENERCON's E-160 EP5 E3 model. With a rotor diameter of 160 metres, these are large machines suited to the output requirements of a project of this scale.

The combined rated capacity of 66.7 megawatts across twelve units places the average per-turbine contribution at approximately 5.6 megawatts, consistent with ENERCON's EP5 platform specifications.

The EP5 platform represents ENERCON's current generation of turbine technology, with the E3 designation indicating a specific configuration within that product line.

Second Phase and Final Turbine Models

Following the completion of the first construction phase, a second phase is planned that will bring the total number of turbines at Sundern to fourteen. The final two turbines to be erected are not E-160 EP5 E3 machines but instead ENERCON's E-175 EP5 E2, which the company describes as its top model. Those two turbines are scheduled to be installed next year.

The E-175 EP5 E2 features a larger rotor diameter of 175 metres compared to the E-160 machines already being installed in phase one, making it one of the larger onshore turbine models in ENERCON's portfolio.

The inclusion of these two machines in the final stage of the project indicates that the Sundern site will ultimately host a mixed fleet drawing from different configurations within the EP5 platform.

Partnership and Delivery Model

The project is being delivered through a collaboration between ENERCON, one of Germany's most established wind turbine manufacturers, and Trianel Wind and Solar.

Trianel is a municipal utility cooperative with a track record in developing and operating renewable energy assets, and its involvement reflects the continuing role that municipal energy companies play in Germany's energy transition.

ENERCON's role in the project spans both turbine supply and on-site construction delivery, consistent with the company's integrated approach to wind farm development. The management of component logistics, a critical path element in any large wind installation, falls within that scope.

Progress and Timeline

With the sixth turbine now complete and the halfway point of the first phase reached, construction activity is continuing at the Hochsauerland site. The project team is working toward the completion of the remaining six E-160 EP5 E3 turbines in the current phase before the second phase commences with the erection of the two E-175 EP5 E2 machines next year.

ENERCON's announcement noted the daily commitment of both its own colleagues and its on-site partners as a key factor in the progress achieved so far, and the company extended its thanks to those involved across the project.

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