Interview“Technically demanding, strategically exciting” 

Daniel, how many wind turbines are in Freckenfeld - and how much electricity can they generate per year?

Here at the Freckenfeld wind farm, six Nordex N 131 turbines are currently running, each with an output of around 3.3 megawatts. In short it means: Every year, we supply around 15,000 ^{1 2} households with sustainable electricity.

What makes the Freckenfeld wind farm special from a technical and strategic point of view?

The wind farm was connected to the grid in 2017, making it the latest generation of wind turbines. For our team, some of whom have been working with wind power for decades, this means: rethinking, relearning, developing.

Strategically, the ownership structure is remarkable. The park does not belong to a single operator, but to several stakeholders - including klimaVest, which is part of the Commerz Real Group. This means intensive coordination and close cooperation with many partners. But that’s exactly what sets the project apart. For us, it is very nice not only to bundle the financial energies, but also to make a joint contribution to the energy transition by producing electricity from renewable energy sources. This makes teamwork especially fun!

What is important for a good partnership in the wind energy sector - and what does the Commerz Real Group bring in this context?

My first thought: Transparent. In a project of this size, it is crucial that the exchange between all parties involved is open and honest. This is the only way to identify problems at an early stage - and solve them together. Even if I don't have to deal with the partners on a daily basis in maintenance, I always get to know this.

It is also important that everyone is involved in decisions at an early stage - and that there is room for flexible participation models. This is the only way for partnership to work in the long term. It may sound like a phrase, but it’s still true.
 

A look at your project diary: What has been the biggest highlight for you so far?

It’s clear: collaboration in the team. We are a young, motivated team with a lot of energy - that’s where every project step almost automatically becomes a highlight. The tasks are fun because everyone is involved and you can see that we make a difference together.

What impact does the wind farm have on the region - economically, environmentally, socially?

Economically, we are strengthening the region with new jobs and higher local value creation - the local potential is being used correctly. In terms of the environment, we are making an active contribution to the energy transition by producing electricity from a renewable energy source - wind. And socially? It is citizen participation that counts above all - both in terms of the electricity generated and the economic effects. 
 

In your opinion, what are currently the biggest challenges for the further expansion of wind energy in Germany?

A key issue is the availability of suitable space - finding it is often more difficult than expected, even when acceptance is there on site. The lengthy approval procedures are also a real hurdle.

In addition, there is the grid connection and integration into the power grid - depending on the region, there are very different prerequisites that require a lot of coordination. And then, of course, the network expansion … A giant theme in itself.

But it doesn't stop there: We will also need powerful storage solutions in the future, without which further expansion will hardly work in the long term.

What does the wind energy landscape of the future look like for you - and what does it need to do?

Decentralised, technologically mature, with intelligent storage solutions - and widely accepted in society. The wind power of the future works in harmony with nature, people and the region. Sounds ambitious? It may be. But for me, that’s the way.  

Estimation question at the end: How many times have you experienced the windmill view live?

I’ve been with the company for over 10 years now - it’s really nice to see things coming together. How often exactly? I don't know, I’ve stopped counting that a long time ago.