4/2/2008

The most powerful wind turbines in Pchery start generating power

Wind turbines with the highest installed unit capacity in the Czech Republic, located in Pchery near Kladno, have started generating electricity and supplying power to the distribution network in test mode today. The J&T Group’s project with a total investment of CZK 190 million in Pchery consists of 2 wind turbines with an installed capacity of 3 MW each.

The WWD-3 wind turbines in Pchery are the first in the Czech Republic to use a rotor with a diameter of 100 metres. The height of the rotor axis (i.e. the height of the pylon) is 88 metres. The general contractor for the wind turbine project, ČKD Blansko Wind, has successfully activated and tested all the equipment and prepared both turbines for operation during the past few days. The first wind turbine started running last evening, the second turbine started generating power this morning.

“After a couple days of generating power in test mode, both turbines will switch over to pilot operation next week and then to the commercial stage of their operation,” said František Čupr, project manager from the J&T Group. “The wind turbine project in Pchery is the initial stage in the implementation of our wider plans for the development of renewable energy sources, which are one of the J&T Group’s priorities in the energy industry,” Čupr also said.

The average annual amount of power generated by the Pchery wind turbines could be about 11 GWh. The location of the wind turbines is advantageous for the municipality of Pchery, which should get CZK 240,000 every year.

The installed turbines use the top-quality Finnish WinWinD technology with the Multibrid system. They are fitted with an automatic control system which controls the generator and the mains, optimising the generation of power according to prevailing wind conditions. Even at a lower wind speed, the turbine has high efficiency thanks to the unique design of its blades and the control of their angle. In comparison with previously installed 90-metre rotors, WWD-3 turbines can generate approximately 15 % more electricity under the same wind conditions.

The manufacturer, Finnish company WinWinD ranks third among the world’s manufacturers in deliveries of wind turbines with a capacity of more than 2.5 MW. A total of 20 turbines of this type have been installed in Europe (Finland, Estonia) since 2004 and their high reliability has been tested during their operation.

author: Martin Maňák - ředitel komunikace pro oblast energetiky