The ongoing installation of the inaugural wind turbine at the “Nordenergie” wind farm at Karelshaff, located within the municipality of Ettelbruck, requires meticulous planning, particularly concerning the transportation of its three rotor blades.
Executing this task demands specialised transport arrangements, impacting local traffic. To ensure the smooth progression of the convoys, the police are providing escort services.
Preparations for these heavy transports have been in motion for over a year. Despite the Easter holidays, a degree of congestion was anticipated. The use of specialised equipment, such as a blade lift, facilitates the transportation process. Despite its leisurely pace, the blade lift offers distinct advantages.
“We are pleased that the new blade lifts alleviate the need for the removal of roundabouts, excavation work, and tree removal. As demonstrated here, we can navigate the load over trees,” noted engineer Guy Uhres.
Navigating the lengthy blades through intricate turns requires skilful manoeuvring by personnel from specialised transport companies.
“When traversing through villages, our primary concern is the clearance of signage and streetlights. Thorough measurements are conducted to ensure the safe passage of the load, preserving infrastructure integrity,” explained Jan Keiser from Logistik Transpolux.
Wednesday saw the first of three transports. Originating from Fond de Heiderscheid, where the nearly 70-metre-long rotor blades are temporarily stored, each transport route extends through Feulen and Mertzig before reaching its final destination in Karelshaff.
Paul Zeimet, Director of Soler, provided insights into the ongoing developments at the site, stating, “This site marks Phase 1 of the Nordenergie wind farm project. However, there remain unanswered questions regarding Phase 2, which pertains to the area near the village of Burden. An opposition movement has emerged against this particular project, and its fate now rests with the judiciary.”
Further expansion plans include the establishment of a third facility at Friedhof. Each modern turbine is projected to generate energy sufficient for 1,850 households, offering significant environmental benefits and minimal waste production over its 20-year operational lifespan. The wind farm operator underscores these advantages over nuclear energy.
Zeimet expressed optimism regarding the government’s commitment to renewable energy expansion, asserting, “We have closely followed the ongoing discussions and are encouraged by the government’s unwavering focus on renewable energy expansion. While the goals set forth in wind power development are ambitious, we believe they are entirely feasible, particularly with the integration of cutting-edge wind turbine technology, as exemplified by the latest generation currently under construction.”
Despite the rain and wind, the first rotor blade reached its destination without incident.
Friday’s weather conditions posed no impediments to the transportation process, either. It is anticipated that by the middle of the year, the first wind turbine will start generating electricity, catering to approximately 1,850 households.
Full report by RTL Télé (in Luxembourgish)
