Spanish energy group Endesa SA has commissioned a modernised wind farm with a capacity of 24 megawatts in the province of Ávila, in Castile and León. The upgrade was carried out at the Aldeavieja site, where 22 older turbines, totalling 14.52 MW, were dismantled and replaced by four latest-generation machines.
A EUR34mn investment for increased capacity
The operation was led by Enel Green Power España, Endesa’s renewables subsidiary. The total investment amounts to EUR34mn ($39.9mn). The company says the scheme is a first in Europe for achieving zero waste through full revalorisation of dismantled components. Decommissioned blades were recycled into fibres incorporated into the structural concrete of the new towers, using a process developed with Holcim’s innovation centres in France and Spain.
Heavy logistics for controlled dismantling
Removing the older units involved more than 50 workers and specialised cranes, with the aim of preserving components for reuse. The initiative forms part of the European Blades2Build circular economy programme for the wind sector, in which Endesa is a participant.
The new turbines, standing 119 metres high with 73-metre blades, are expected to generate about 65 GWh of electricity annually. Part of the output will be supplied to local small and medium-sized businesses through power purchase agreements.
Institutional support for a pilot project
The project received EUR6.5mn ($7.63mn) in public funding from the Instituto para la Diversificación y Ahorro de la Energía (IDAE), the Spanish public body responsible for energy diversification and efficiency. The support falls under the European Circular Repowering programme aimed at modernising existing wind infrastructure.
It is the first project under this programme to be connected to the Spanish grid, according to the company.
