2023-09-28 09:17:20
LH deputy Pernkopf: We need projects like this to expand renewables
St.Pölten (OTS) – The wind farm in Wilfersdorf in the Weinviertel is being expanded to include five wind turbines. In total, the new systems will generate an output of around 72.5 million kilowatt hours and thus supply around 18,000 households with electricity. The groundbreaking ceremony took place today with LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf and representatives from Windkraft Simonsfeld, ImWind and the community.
“We need projects like these that are being implemented today,” said LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf and added: “Many people are currently talking regarding the energy transition, but the energy transition needs very concrete action. We do that in Lower Austria. We cover 40 percent of Austria’s total expansion in the areas of wind power and photovoltaics. We have more wind power than all eight other federal states combined.” Lower Austria has set itself very specific goals for expanding renewables. Pernkopf says: “Namely the tripling of wind and photovoltaics. This expansion is roughly the electricity consumption of the entire Styria.”
Markus Winter, CTO Windkraft Simonsfeld, said: “There are already many wind turbines here and today we are able to break ground for another five turbines.” Windkraft Simonsfeld has maintained a partnership with the community of WIlfersdorf for over 20 years and built the first turbines here in 2005. “Back then 20 years ago, the communities of WIlfersdorf and Poysdorf recognized that something had to be done for the energy transition. One 5 MW class system and four 7 MW class systems are now being built. We will produce a total of 70 million kilowatt hours of electricity here per year, which means we can supply 18,000 households with it.”
ImWind CEO Georg Waldner emphasized: “It’s a beautiful day, the wind turbines are turning, the sun is shining. There mightn’t be a better time to break ground. As a Lower Austrian company, we will invest almost 200 million euros in the expansion of renewable energy, especially wind power, over the next three years.” One year from now, the new systems will be producing electricity. According to Waldner, it is “very important that the expansion of the network infrastructure goes hand in hand with the expansion of renewables: “Overall, the conversion of the energy system is a national task, a feat of strength that requires support from citizens, politicians, companies “We need financing institutions to bring the energy transition to a successful conclusion.”
Josef Tatzber, mayor of Wilfersdorf, is pleased that “this is happening within this framework. At the beginning, when the first wind turbines were built, things were even more complicated. There was no zoning back then.” He concluded by thanking Windkraft Simonsfeld and ImWind for the very good cooperation: “It works perfectly and on an equal footing.”
Questions & Contact:
Office of the Lower Austrian State Government
State Office Directorate/Public Relations
Philipp Hebenstreit
02742/9005-13632
presse@noel.gv.at
www.noe.gv.at/presse
1695892799
#Groundbreaking #ceremony #expansion #Wilfersdorf #wind #farm
