First turbine of 474MW Nysäter onshore wind farm now powering Swedish homes

The Nysäter wind project, located in Sundsvall, Västernorrland County, Sweden, has achieved a major milestone. The first of its 21 turbines, recently installed, has been successfully connected to the power grid and has commenced electricity production. This marks an important step towards the completion of one of the largest onshore wind farms in Sweden and Europe.

The Nysäter wind farm is divided into two projects: Hästkullen, with a capacity of 307 MW, and Björnlandhöjden, contributing an additional 167 MW. Upon completion, the site will feature a total of 114 Nordex turbines, making it the second largest onshore wind farm in Sweden. These turbines are designed to optimize energy production in the region’s complex topographical and varying wind conditions.

The wind farm utilizes two different models of Nordex wind turbine generators (WTGs) to accommodate diverse wind conditions across the site. Ten of these are model N131/3900s, each with a nominal output of 3.9 MW and a hub height ranging from 84 to 134 meters, ideal for areas with lighter wind conditions. The remaining 104 turbines are model N149/4.0-4.5s, each capable of 4.5 MW with hub heights up to 164 meters, designed for stronger wind areas.

Once fully operational, the Nysäter wind farm is expected to generate enough green electricity to supply approximately 300,000 Swedish households annually. This contribution is significant in supporting Sweden’s ambitious climate targets for renewable energy and carbon neutrality.

The wind farm is operated and maintained by RWE Renewables, which owns a 20% stake in the project. The majority 80% stake is held by Energy Infrastructure Partners AG (EIP), which also provides the financial resources for the project.

Katja Wünschel, COO Wind Onshore & Solar PV Europe & APAC at RWE Renewables, emphasized the project’s strategic importance: “The Nysäter wind farm will play an important role in achieving Sweden’s ambitious climate targets. Our involvement in this large-scale project underlines our aim to further strengthen our position among the world’s leading renewables companies.”

The Nysäter wind farm is slated for full completion and commissioning by the end of 2021. This development is part of a larger strategy by RWE, which currently owns and operates one offshore and ten onshore wind farms in Sweden, totaling more than 150 megawatts, with several more projects in the pipeline.