VSB Group Commissions One of Europe's Largest Repowering Projects

Green energy takes off: With the symbolic press of the buzzer, VSB inaugurates the Elster wind farm – one of the largest repowering projects in Europe
© VSB Gruppe/Benjamin GierigDresden/Zahna-Elster/Jessen (renewablepress) - The VSB Group has successfully connected the repowered Repowering Wind Farm Elster to the grid. With an installed capacity of 105.6 megawatts, it ranks among the largest repowering projects in Europe. Its energy output has increased sixfold compared to the original wind farm – made possible by cutting-edge turbine technology.


A technological shift with impressive efficiency

As part of the repowering process, 50 outdated Enercon E-40 turbines were dismantled and replaced by 16 high-performance Siemens Gamesa SG 6.6-155 turbines. The expected annual output is 235 GWh – enough to supply around 67,000 three-person households with green electricity. Compared to fossil-based generation, this will save approximately 180,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year.

“Repowering is a powerful lever for reaching Europe’s climate goals – efficient, land-saving, and achievable in the near term,” says Dr Felix Grolman, CEO of the VSB Group. “The Elster project shows how existing sites can be elevated to a new level of performance using modern technology. These are precisely the kinds of projects Europe needs now – and VSB is ready to move forward with strong partners and determination.”


A site in transition – from its beginnings to today

VSB has been involved at the Elster site from the very beginning – from the construction of the first turbines over 20 years ago to today’s reconfiguration.

“The dismantling of 50 turbines, the use of the latest technology, and close coordination with authorities and municipalities made this one of the most complex projects in our company’s history,” explains Thomas Winkler, Managing Director of VSB Germany, responsible for planning and construction. “The fact that we can now operate the wind farm in a future-proof way is thanks to the strong collaboration of all parties involved.”


An innovative approach: Separate contracting of project partners

A key feature of the project was its “split-scope” concept: VSB commissioned the project partners separately. Max Bögl Wind AG was responsible for the foundations and concrete elements of the hybrid towers, while Siemens Gamesa handled the steel tower sections and turbine technology. This approach significantly improved the project’s overall cost-efficiency.

Christian Essiger, Head of Onshore Business in Germany at Siemens Gamesa, says: “Modern turbines such as the SG 6.6-155 not only deliver higher yields using less land – they also make a measurable contribution to climate protection. Over its lifetime, each turbine generates around 48 times more energy than is required for its manufacture, installation and operation.”

“The project demanded the highest level of technical precision and a conscious use of resources,” points out Josef Knitl, Board Member at Max Bögl Wind AG. “Thanks to their combination of concrete and steel, our hybrid towers ensure the structural stability of turbines with a hub height of 165 metres. At the same time, the use of eco-concrete reduces CO₂ emissions by 50 percent compared to conventional steel tower solutions.”


Looking ahead: Further expansion planned

In autumn 2025, VSB will install two additional turbines at the site. The wind farm continues to grow – underlining the company’s strategy of smartly developing and retaining existing locations for the long term.


Further information on the Repowering Wind Farm Elster
www.windfarm-elster.com


About VSB Group

VSB, headquartered in Dresden, is one of Europe’s leading vertically integrated developers in the field of renewable energy. The company is part of TotalEnergies since 2025. Its core business is project development of onshore wind and photovoltaic parks, battery storage solutions, their operational management as well as the operation of its own assets as a growing independent power producer. VSB operates in six European countries and has a pipeline of more than 18 GW. Since 1996, it has installed more than 750 wind energy and photovoltaic plants. VSB also provides services for a portfolio of more than 3 GW and is active in the field of e-mobility for freight transport. With its affiliated companies, the Group employs over 500 people.

Further information: www.vsb.energy


Download press photo:
https://www.iwrpressedienst.de/bild/vsb/cc4d3_250815_VSB_InaugurationWindfarmElster.jpg
Caption: Green energy takes off: With the symbolic press of the buzzer, VSB inaugurates the Elster wind farm – one of the largest repowering projects in Europe
© VSB Gruppe/Benjamin Gierig


Dresden/Zahna-Elster/Jessen, 15 August 2025


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