19 September 2008

FLANDERS – The oldest wind farm in Flanders will soon be a thing of the past.

Work has started on the demolition of the farm boosting of 24 wind turbines located at the West Flemish port of Zeebrugge. The wind turbines are 22 years old.

The green energy company Aspiravi will build a new wind farm at site and have 14 brand new turbines.

Although fewer in numbers the new wind turbines will be able to produce more electricity than the existing ones.

Rik Van de Walle of Aspiravi told the VRT that the new turbines are 850kw/h compared to between 200 and 600kw/h with old turbines.

"The old turbine towers didn't need to be demolished, but they were in a prime location. It would have been a shame to carry on using the old turbines when we can produce 80 percent more energy with the new ones."

The total cost of the project is estimated to be EUR 20 million.

[flandersnews.be / Expatica]