Bremen, 16 October 2023 – In the night of 14 October to 15 October 2023, a rotor blade on a wind turbine at the Alfstedt-Ebersdorf wind park in Lower Saxony, Germany, snapped off and partially broke off. As a result, plastic parts and, among other things, finer fibres of the rotor blade scattered in the immediate surroundings. No personal injuries occurred. As a first step, the affected wind turbine was cordoned off. Further safety measures will follow immediately. The affected wind turbine is a wind turbine manufactured by GE Wind Energy GmbH. The turbine is owned by Energiekontor. The cause of the damage is not yet known and is currently being investigated, as is the expected duration for the repair of the damage. The investigations are running at full speed.
Immediately after the incident occurred, Energiekontor instructed all the wind turbines in the park to be shut down for safety reasons and requested GE Wind Energy GmbH to conduct a rapid and comprehensive analysis of the damage caused to the turbine concerned. Energiekontor only recommends restarting all turbines after an independent expert has determined that there is no threat of comparable damage to these turbines.
In addition to the ongoing investigations, Energiekontor is currently coordinating the fastest possible initiation of the removal of the rotor blade components scattered on the ground. Energiekontor is also in close contact with the municipality and the relevant authorities. Affected farmers and land owners can also report their damage to Energiekontor. Energiekontor will record and examine the respective matter and endeavour to provide rapid support.
Contact for offices, authorities and other institutions
Stefan Rimbeck
Head of Operations Management
Mobile: +49 (0)162-1313044
Email: stefan.rimbeck@energiekontor.com
Contact for affected farmers and land owners
Ulrich Deltz
Head of EPC
Phone: +49 (0)421-3304220
Email: ulrich.deltz@energiekontor.com
Holger Niehuisen
Technical Project Coordinator
Mobile: +49 (0)162 2802032
Email: holger.niehuisen@energiekontor.com
Contact for press and investors
Julia Pschribülla
Head of Investor & Public Relations
Phone: +49 (0)421-3304126
Email: julia.pschribuella@energiekontor.com
As a renewable energy company, Energiekontor makes a contribution to an independent, affordable and climate-friendly energy supply in Germany - today and in the future. Energiekontor deeply regrets the damage that has once again been caused and shares the disappointment and anger that has arisen locally.
Energiekontor is aware of its responsibility and will continue to do everything in its power to remedy the damage caused in the best possible and sustainable way for the benefit of those affected and the environment, while also holding the manufacturer, GE Wind Energy GmbH, to account.
Kind regards,
Energiekontor AG
Mary-Somerville-Strasse 5
28359 Bremen
Germany
www.energiekontor.de