Luxembourg pushes forward with wind and solar advancements

On Tuesday morning, Paul Zeimet, director of Luxembourg-based renewable energy company Soler, shared insights on the country's energy transition during an interview with our colleagues from RTL Radio.

As part of its National Energy and Climate Plan (PNEC), Luxembourg aims to meet 37% of its national energy consumption through renewable sources by 2030. The current rate stands at 21%. Zeimet described the target as "a realistic goal that can be achieved with modern technology."

Zeimet explained that wind and solar power dominate Luxembourg's renewable energy landscape, with hydropower and biogas playing smaller roles. Hydropower contributes 6% of the country's renewable energy production, biogas 4%, solar power 23%, and wind power 39%.

Significant advancements in wind energy technology

Wind and solar energy are considered the most promising options for achieving the PNEC targets. Zeimet emphasised the importance of diversification. "While the sun is more prominent in summer, wind plays a greater role in winter, and vice versa," he said.

Zeimet also highlighted significant advancements in wind energy technology. He cited the example of Luxembourg's first wind turbine, installed in 1996, which would require over 1,000 units to meet today's targets. In contrast, modern turbines achieve the same output with around 100 units. Future models, such as the Enercon 175 with a rotor diameter of 175 metres and a height of 170 metres, could reduce this figure to just 50 turbines.

Additionally, Zeimet noted that technological improvements have allowed Luxembourg to decommission 25 wind turbines since 2016, replacing them with fewer, more efficient models.

Wind turbines becoming more efficient

Wind turbines offer several advantages, according to Paul Zeimet. Among these is the significantly smaller surface area they require compared to photovoltaic installations.

Noise, a common criticism of wind turbines in the past, is no longer an issue with modern technology. Zeimet explained that the latest turbines emit a maximum of 37 decibels (dBA) at their outermost points at night, making them quieter than heat pumps. This improvement, he believes, has led to greater public acceptance of wind turbines.

Zeimet also praised the government's decision to allow the construction of wind turbines in industrial zones and near motorways. Previous governments were hesitant to issue permits for roadside installations due to concerns about ice shedding from turbines. However, modern turbines are equipped with internal heating systems that prevent ice formation. "It's now more dangerous to drive from Kopstal to Mersch during a storm than to pass by a wind turbine," Zeimet noted.

Administrative hurdles to construction

Despite these advancements, Zeimet identified administrative delays, particularly related to nature protection authorisations, as the biggest obstacle to constructing wind turbines. It takes approximately nine years from the planning phase to the launch of a turbine, primarily due to extensive environmental procedures.

While Zeimet acknowledged the importance of safeguarding biodiversity, he argued that some measures are overly stringent. For example, environmental impact studies often require over a year to complete, as experts must assess whether breeding species are present. Disagreements among experts frequently result in repeated assessments, further prolonging the process.

According to Zeimet, about one-third to half of all potential wind turbine sites are ultimately abandoned due to these restrictions. He called for more coherence and pragmatism in the authorisation process. The Soler director expressed optimism that the current government, which has signalled its intent to address these issues, will take meaningful action.