EWT enters Germany with self-consumption project to offset local electricity consumption

At Pohlkemper GbR Hähnchenmast EWT installed the DW61-750kW turbine in the first week of September, only two months after contract signing. The farm has a high electricity consumption due to cooling and heating of the poultry farm. The electricity of the wind turbine will mainly be used for the operations of the farm, and the surplus will be fed back in to the grid. Short delivery time and quick installation of the turbine was essential to meet the EEG deadline at the 1st of October.

The turbine will be used to offset local electricity consumption rather than just exporting electricity to the grid. In this way, the poultry farm can avoid the high electricity tariffs that apply to commercial and industrial end-users. At the same time, self-consumption of locally produced wind energy reduces the load on the electricity grid, while minimizing electricity transport losses. It stabilizes and optimizes our energy system, while contributing significantly to CO₂ emission reductions.

“Because of my high electricity consumption, I was looking for alternatives to reduce my energy costs. EWT came into the picture because of their 750kW rated, DIBt certified machine. A wind turbine rated at 750kW doesn’t have to tender for the EEG, effectively resulting in a higher export tariff. Bringing in the technology, but also the flexibility and critical output levels needed for this project convinced me to go ahead.” says Herr Pohlkemper, owner of the poultry farm.

In Germany, the installation of wind turbines is generally limited to areas specially designated as wind energy sites. Small to medium businesses, however, that can prove that they will consume more than 51% of the annually generated energy onsite, are excluded from this regulation and can install the turbine outside these priority areas. For the remaining electricity fed back into the grid they will receive a fixed Feed-in Tariff (EEG).

Global demand for turbines in self-consumption projects will strongly grow, as end-user electricity prices are expected to go up due to grid cost increases driven by the electrification of the economy. Moreover, wind turbines are the perfect solution for commercial and industrial users who want to offset a large part of their electricity consumption by generating their own electricity at minimal use of land.

“For us this first project in Germany showcases there is a need to offset high electricity prices and proves that the self-consumption model works. Germany represents a mature wind energy market and is leading the renewable sector, and we are very proud to be part of it now with smaller sized projects.” says Bas Hoogeveen, Sales Manager at EWT