Gigantic wind turbine in Schipkau: New energy source for 6,000 households!

Gigantic wind turbine in Schipkau: New energy source for 6,000 households!

An impressive project is currently being tackled in Schipkau, Brandenburg: a 300 meter high wind turbine that will become the largest wind turbine in the world. This powerful structure will reach a total height of around 363 meters with its rotor blades and have a generator with an output of 3.8 megawatts, which corresponds to the average of today's wind power technology standards. Construction was originally scheduled to begin in 2023, but the rotors are now scheduled to be put into operation in the summer of 2026. Loud Focus The operator Gicon spent two years studying the wind conditions with a 300 meter high measuring mast. These measurements showed that at this height the wind is not only stronger, but also more widely distributed, which makes the system particularly productive.

The mayor of Schipkau, Klaus Prietzel, is a big supporter of the project as it should also benefit the regional economy. Gicon plans to not only inform the population about the tax share in the wind turbine's profits, but also to actively participate in the financial returns of the project. Since 2015, the company has paid out around three million euros to the local community through the so-called “citizen electricity model”, which shows that positive acceptance among residents is important.

Technical masterpieces and challenges

The construction of the wind turbine is considered a technical masterpiece. A crane that could reach the required height is not available, making the construction particularly challenging. Nevertheless, Gicon is not just planning this one wind turbine, but has set itself the ambitious goal of building up to 1,000 additional wind turbines of this size nationwide by 2030. The planning envisages that these new systems will also make optimal use of the space in the existing wind farms without taking up additional areas.

The importance of wind power for the energy transition is undisputed. The German wind industry highlights how this renewable energy not only helps reduce CO2 emissions, but also creates new jobs and leads to independence from fossil fuels. Technological advances have significantly increased the efficiency and performance of wind turbines. Large, powerful turbines therefore not only represent environmentally friendly energy production, but also economic benefits for local communities.

Protests and legal disputes

Although there were some protests against the wind turbine, these were comparatively small. An urgent application from the Aero-Club Schwarzheide air sports club, which wanted to prevent the construction of the wind turbine, was successfully rejected. The Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court determined that the association was not authorized to apply. Air traffic at the neighboring special landing strip was also stopped in November 2024, which means the project can move forward without major hurdles.

The discussion about wind power often revolves around integration into the existing power grid and acceptance among citizens. This also shows that information events and transparent communication are crucial for the success of wind power projects. Gicon is aware of these risks and is committed to local involvement to ensure broad support.

The wind turbine in Schipkau could be a pioneering example for many other projects in Germany. At a time when converting the energy system to renewable energies is becoming increasingly important, it makes sense to rely on technologies such as wind power and to actively involve citizens in the process. We can't wait to see how the project will develop further.