Koehler Renewable Energy faces special challenges

It took countless analyses to get to the point where the definitive locations for the wind turbines were finally set in stone. On one hand, an extremely complex topography had to be taken into account while adhering to height restrictions. On the other, there is a radar station within range, meaning that only certain specific corridors were available for construction.

Even after taking the site into account, there were other unique challenges involved in the project. One of them was building a transformer station for the wind farm. The challenge here? The required transformers, as the lead time for them is currently around one and a half to two years due to them being in short supply. 

Extensive wildlife conservation measures in progress
The initial preparation work for construction kicked off at the beginning of this year, requiring for some areas to be temporarily cleared so that it would be possible to erect the wind turbines. Some of these areas had previously been devastated by dry weather conditions and bark beetle infestations in past years, making it possible to reduce the project’s impact on the spruce forest. And in order to further compensate for this impact, the company has taken extensive reforestation and other environmental compensation measures. Since the area is found in potential hazel dormouse territory, the clearing work had to be done exclusively by hand or with machines working from existing paths so as not to disturb the dormice’s hibernation in tree stumps. And on top of this, 300 fruit trees and bushes have been planted close by in order to provide them with an attractive habitat in the near vicinity. Extensive environmental compensation measures are also being taken for other affected fauna.

The project’s schedule contemplates one and a half years of construction work
Once the clearing work is completed, the required earth-moving and foundation construction work should start in the late summer of this year and be completed by the first quarter of 2024 at the latest. The main wind turbine components are then set to be delivered and erected in the summer of 2024 so that the wind farm can be commissioned in the 2024/2025 winter.