OEM Enercon signed a PPA with logistics trade association VDKL for 10.6MW-worth of power from wind farms whose support under Germany's EEG scheme will expire after 2020.

The PPA model is part of Enercon’s Energiekonzept 20+ partnership concept for operators of legacy turbines which the manufacturer will present at the Global Wind Summit in Hamburg next week.

It follows up on a similar 42MW PPA announced by Norwegian utility Statkraft earlier this month, similarly designed to make the operation of wind farms in Germany viable even after the expiry of EEG subsidies, instead of dismantling them.

Germany’s Renewable Energies Act (EEG) first came into force in 2000, and at first provided support for renewables via feed-in tariffs (FITs) financed through a supplement on consumers’ power bills. In a reform in 2014 the allocation of most support was shifted to competitive tenders. EEG support will cease in 2021 for some 4.5GW of wind, according to Statkraft.

The delivery of energy under the PPA with Enercon machines will be organised by Quadra Energy, an Enercon service and logistics unit.

“We are pleased that we were able to win a renowned industry and logistics partner like the VDKL power pool with our PPA model,” Quadra Energy managing director Uwe Behrens said.

“We will supply the green energy at a fixed price over the entire term of the PPA, providing planning security for both our customer and the wind farm operator.

“Our PPA allows the wind farm to remain economically viable and is therefore the ideal marketing model for operators and owners of existing wind farms that no longer receive EEG remuneration.”

Enercon’s Energiekonzept 20+ includes consultation and support for repowering projects, and for various scenarios for continued operation of existing turbines where repowering is not an option.

Wind

Enercon adds to PPA momentum for post-EEG German wind