Windpark Wachau

Could the gentle hum of turbines whisper tales of Dresden’s past? Here at Windpark Wachau, the wind spins a story of renewable energy. Windpark Wachau stands as a testament to Germany’s commitment to sustainable power. This wind farm, nestled in the Wachau municipality near Radeberg, started small. In 1995, two Nordex N29 turbines marked the beginning. These weren’t enough to officially classify it as a wind park. A wind park requires at least three turbines. But they set the stage. The original generators are gone, but their steel framework towers remain. Repurposed as cell towers, they stand as silent witnesses to the wind park’s growth. By 2000, Windpark Wachau earned its title. Three Enercon E-44 turbines joined the landscape. These 600 kW turbines, with their 44-meter rotors and 65-meter hub heights, line the K 9254 road. Look closely at the southernmost tower. You’ll spot cell phone antennas from provider O2. Each of these three turbines has its own transformer house. They’re operated by a private individual. Windpark Wachau didn’t stop there. In 2011, two giants rose above the horizon: Enercon E-70 E4 turbines. Reaching 85 meters at the hub, with 71-meter rotors, they each boast a 2.3 MW output. These turbines, operated by SachsenEnergie AG, have internal transformers. This eliminates the need for separate transformer houses. You can access them via Lichtenberger Strasse. Today, Windpark Wachau’s five turbines generate a total of 6.4 MW. They feed their power into the medium-voltage grid of SachsenNetze HS.HD GmbH. The E-70 E4 turbines and the E-44 turbines use different grid connection points. The story of Windpark Wachau also includes a tale of what might have been. In 2016, Boreas Energie planned a massive 217-meter turbine. This would have dwarfed all existing structures. However, concerns about air traffic safety and local opposition halted the project. The Saxon Aviation Authority deemed it a risk to flight paths. Residents worried about noise and shadow flicker. This giant turbine remains a ghost in Windpark Wachau’s history.